Christopher Reeve Quotes

The opposition is indispensable. A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, always learns more from his opponents than from his fervent supporters.

It's really important, whether you're a conservative or a liberal, to always challenge the conventional wisdom, which is what I've tried to do in all my work.

When you're used to being prepared to reject conventional wisdom, it leaves you open to learn more.

I don't think we ought to base our policy on what the conventional wisdom is.... The conventional wisdom usually is wrong.

There's one rule that I have on my movies, which is that anything that you want to do, you can do. But! There's a flip side to that, which is that anything I want you to do, give it a try also.

I try to encourage people to think for themselves, to question standard assumptions... Don't take assumptions for granted. Begin by taking a skeptical attitude toward anything that is conventional wisdom. Make it justify itself. It usually can't. Be willing to ask questions about what is taken for granted. Try to think things through for yourself.

Neither with those nor with the others, with all I agree and dissent; in all part of truth and part of error must be seen.

I don't think 'my way or the highway' works, that mentality. And that's what the Tea Party has done: drawn a line in the sand. I'm sorry - that doesn't work in business, that doesn't work in your family, it certainly doesn't work in government and our Congress.

When an opponent comes forward, move in and greet him; if he wants to pull back, send him on his way.

I really am opinionated, but not for long. I have found myself coming off of what I think of something because the guy I'm talking to makes better sense than I am. I have so many points of view, I can't keep track of 'em, because I talk to too many people... I'm not so opinionated that I won't budge.

You should be able to voice your opinion and respect the voice of the other side. You should be willing to educate yourself and know what it is you're dealing with.

The war... was an unnecessary condition of affairs, and might have been avoided if forebearance and wisdom had been practiced on both sides.

I could never be a member of a single party. I want the best of all worlds, thank you.

The first complete sentence out of my mouth was probably that line about consistency being the hobgoblin of small minds.

I've always shied away from conventional wisdom, though I know the power of it.

I believe in an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out.

The man who says he is willing to meet you halfway is usually a poor judge of distance.

As a newly married person, as much as I would love for my husband to buy into the 'my way or the highway' philosophy, you realize it's all about compromising and finding some sort of middle ground that everyone can live with.

I've led a school whose faculty and students examine and discuss and debate every aspect of our law and legal system. And what I've learned most is that no one has a monopoly on truth or wisdom. I've learned that we make progress by listening to each other, across every apparent political or ideological divide.

Critics reach that age when it is as valuable and daring to hold a negative opinion as it is for a positive. We learn and understand from both.

Thinking differently is my strength.

Understanding is a two-way street.

If you come to a negotiation table saying you have the final truth, that you know nothing but the truth and that is final, you will get nothing.

We want everybody to act like adults, quit playing games, realize that it's not just my way or the highway.

I'm someone who does not like a bunker mentality and does not like groupthink.