Steve Scalise Quotes

Posturing is counterproductive. Posturing only works if things are screwed up.

We experience problem-solving sessions as war zones, we view competing ideas as enemies, and we use problems as weapons to blame and defeat opposition forces. No wonder we can't come up with real lasting solutions!

He who cannot agree with his enemies is controlled by them.

Engagement is not appeasement. Engagement is not surrender.

There are two types of people: those who try to win and those who try to win arguments. They are never the same.

In dancing with the enemy one follows his steps even if counting under one's breath.

You should never appease terrorists. The mistake made by critics of the 'talking to your enemy' approach is to equate talking with appeasing.

Once in a while I can agree with the enemy.

Whoever said “Keep your enemies close” didn’t have many enemies.

Confrontation is something that I accept as part of the project though not its purpose.

I am not made for politics because I am incapable of wanting or accepting the death of the adversary.

It is better to discuss things, to argue and engage in polemics than make perfidious plans of mutual destruction.

I like to win without fighting. But if I can't, then I'm prepared to fight.

The most important thing in an argument, next to being right, is to leave an escape hatch for your opponent, so that he can gracefully swing over to your side without too much apparent loss of face.

Costa Rica believes in building bridges, in looking for solutions to problems, and not clinging to positions.

We cannot have that relationship if we only dictate or threaten and condemn those who disagree.

Harsh counsels have no effect; they are like hammers, which are always repulsed by the anvil.

I've been repeating ad nauseam that we in Burma, we are weak with regard to the culture of negotiated compromises, that we have to develop the ability to achieve such compromises.

I've learned that in order to achieve what I wanted, it made more sense to negotiate than to defend the autonomy of my work by pounding my fist on the table.

Arguments are to be avoided: they are always vulgar and often convincing.

Diplomacy is letting someone else have your way.

In the Mediterranean you have a choice. Either you fight or you cooperate.

Negotiating is a little like jazz. You improvise on a theme. You know where you want to go, but you’re not always sure how to get there.

In campaigning, you want to slay your opponent. In governing, you want to make love to your opponent.

I have to fight as if there were no negotiations and negotiate as if there was no war.