Richard Whately Quotes

There were times that I needed to go to battle, but how I went to battle wasn't always the best way in.

There is only one way under high heaven to get the best of an argument—and that is to avoid it.

In a political struggle, never get personal—else the dagger digs too deep.

Naturally, Brie and I bicker, like, every 10 minutes about everything in life.

We've got the children so we have to deal with each other because we have to deal with children's problems, you know, and our own problems. But some days it's fine, and then some days we just are at each other's throat.

Trying to negotiate getting a couple of kids to watch the same TV show requires serious diplomacy.

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

We're all negotiators.

When people disagree with you, what you ultimately have to do is persuade people to agree with you - period.

The whole concept of negotiating is intimidating to many people.

Why are we talking about talking? Why negotiating about negotiating? It's very simple. If you want to get to peace, put all your preconditions on the side, sit down opposite a table, not in a studio, by the way.

The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.

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.

The capability of negotiating... is something that means you not only have to understand fully what you believe and what your national interests are but in order to be a really good negotiator, you have to try to figure out what the other person on the other side of the table has in mind.

I don't have the ability to find a middle ground with my audiences, and I know this too well.

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

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

You have to negotiate with people who don’t trust you and vica versa. You have to be very careful but you can’t be paralyzed.

The object of Parliament is to substitute argument for fisticuffs.

I blame all of Egypt, because they do not know how to talk to each other.

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

Always remember that your calmness under fire is your best defense in any argument or discussion.

If you're making enemies along the way, you're going to limit the ability for yourself to be successful in advancing your causes.

It's impossible for a couple to bring up two children without having lots and lots of arguments.

The Fundamental Principle that governs - or ought to govern -human affairs if we wish to avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, or pointless utopias, is negotiation.