Terry Pratchett Quotes

Sometimes you need conflict in order to come up with a solution. Through weakness, oftentimes, you can't make the right sort of settlement, so I'm aggressive, but I also get things done, and in the end, everybody likes me.

It's better to get smart than to get mad. I try not to get so insulted that I will not take advantage of an opportunity to persuade people to change their minds.

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.

To resolve problems through negotiation is a very childish approach.

You can't just answer everything with the application of force. By the time you have to apply force, there's already been a failure, and you're trying to pull your chestnuts out in the worst possible way

Never get angry. Never make a threat. Reason with people.

Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one's ability to persuade.

You can win as long as you chose your battles. You can win more arguments then you might think as a writer, even though you legally have no recourse, and your script can get muddied and altered in any way possible. You can use reason, logic, and passion to argue persuasively for a case in your favor. So what I've learned is to just basically not buckle - not be belligerent, not be angry, not throw fits, but just not buckle.

There is a point beyond which conciliation looks like capitulation. I do not believe I passed that point, but others have thought otherwise.

There is no conflict in the world that cannot be solved.

A peace deal requires agreements, and you don't make agreements with your friends, you make agreements with your enemies.

During a negotiation, it would be wise not to take anything personally. If you leave personalities out of it, you will be able to see opportunities more objectively.

Number one, that it is smart to communicate and negotiate with your enemy instead of just waging war with bombs and weapons of mass destruction.

Negotiating in the classic diplomatic sense assumes parties more anxious to agree than to disagree.

Violence is my last option.

The failure to set standards for Palestinian conduct hurts the cause of peace.

I'm a mediator by training and inclination.

It is highly probable that in most cases, war could be avoided or ended. For discussions allow passion to subside, and to persuade alienated neighbors, or at least one of them, to listen to the voice of a conciliator is a step in the direction of peace.

The only thing you think of is that you are in the middle and that you've got to find a way to stop it.

You have to pick your battles on set.

I was always the mediator.

Remember that when you meet your antagonist, to do everything in a mild agreeable manner. Let your courage be keen, but, at the same time, as polished as your sword.

Obama seems like he tries to talk everyone into what he believes - and that's part of why we elected him, because he's a calm, reasonable guy - but behind that, there has to be some fight. You have to be able to take a few punches and throw a few punches.

The best way to solve problems and to fight against war is through dialogue.

I was the type of person that would show a PowerPoint presentation about why I should do something versus crying and screaming over it.