Penn Jillette Quotes

I really do feel like the work and time we spend avoiding having difficult conversations is so much more wasteful and painful and time-consuming than actually having the difficult conversation.

Listen, talk, be respectful of people - and make sure that you have openness to where people are coming from. And you don't do anything that is unnecessarily antagonistic, that is only going to make you feel good because you've done it.

Jonathan and I are outspoken. If there's something that's bothering us we just say it, deal with it, and move on.

Arguments are healthy. They clear the air.

If I got something to say or do to a man, I'm going to look that man in the eye and tell him what is going to happen. That's just me now.

I did not deal well with the politicians. I tend to tell people that when they are full of crap, that they are full of crap.

A lot of times, you had to beat the bullies at their own game. But the difficulty is not becoming the bully yourself.

How do you conduct an intimate relationship where no one ever loses it? Where no one ever lashes out, where no one ever smacks anyone in the mouth?

In my neighborhood, when you've got something to say to a guy, you look him in the eye and you say it to him.

I think confrontation is healthy, because it clears the air very quickly.

I am comfortable with myself, and this is how I am. I am not really interested in having an acrimonious fight with somebody.

Trust leads to approachability and open communications.

There's certain things that we do work with Russia on, and then there's certain things when they do something wrong, I have no problem calling them out on it.

You can have a great, deep connection with somebody and still disagree with their actions.

What I've learned - after working for, I guess, some time now - is when you're approaching a relationship like that, like, any working relationship, it's good to be open. To know that someone might have a different way of doing things and listen to them. And hopefully, you come to a common understanding.

I want to treat people the way I like to be treated and be very straight with them.

You don't just call a person out to a fight if you don't know their background, what they've been through, and how to test them.

Often, just explicitly acknowledging how the other side must see things can help them open up to see your side and can help both parties achieve a fair and constructive outcome.

I like to fight where people respect me.

If I disagree with someone, I let them have their say and move on. I don't want to be the one to lecture.

I think when you call someone out, you have to be ready.

I don't take much pride in fake fighting.

The key is that when we disagree, we really hear the other one out and agree that there is a more elegant solution than one of us 'winning.'

When you're not being heard - I can't tell you what to do when you're not being heard. I do think there is a way to move in love and get things done, though.

I deal with my guests the same. I just love them. I deal with the issue as it is. There's no issue that can't be overcome. I don't tolerate disrespect of themselves or of me. And dishonesty. Those are two things that upset me. Don't tell me you said something or did something and you didn't. I'm very clear. I warn them early. There always comes a moment when you don't like me!