A Quote by Deborah Tannen

The argument culture urges us to approach the world - and the people in it - in an adversarial frame of mind. It rests on the assumption that opposition is the best way to get anything done: The best way to discuss an idea is to set up a debate; the best way to cover news is to find spokespeople who express the most extreme, polarized views and present them as 'both sides'; the best way to settle disputes is litigation that pits one party against the other; the best way to begin an essay is to attack someone; and the best way to show you're really thinking is to criticize.

Deborah Tannen

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Against Anything Approach Argument Assumption Attack Begin Best Best Way Both Both Sides Cover Criticize Culture Debate Discuss Disputes Done Essay Express Extreme Find Frame Frame Of Mind Get Idea Litigation Mind Most News One Party Opposition Other Party People Pits Polarized Present Really Rests Set Settle Show Sides Someone Spokespeople Them Thinking Up Urges Us Views Way World

Quote Author

Deborah Tannen
American - Sociologist
Born: June 7, 1945

The argument culture urges us to approach the world-and the people in it-in an adversarial frame of mind. It rests on the assumption that opposition is the best way to get anything done: Conflict and opposition are as necessary as cooperation and agreement, but the scale is off balance, with conflict and opposition over-weighted.

Deborah Tannen

The best way to forget your own problems is to help someone else solve theirs. The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live. The best way to respond to wrong is to do what's right. The better we know ourselves the less we'll criticize others. The bigger your problems, the bigger your prayer should be.

Norman Vincent Peale

I think many people believe the best way they can help others is to criticize them, to give them the benefit of their 'wisdom.' I disagree. The best way to help people is to see the best in them.

John C. Maxwell

The best leaders are very often the best listeners. They have an open mind. They are not interested in having their own way but in finding the best way.

Wilferd Peterson

In the short term, it absolutely feels devastating to break a bond of friendship. In the long term, it is the best possible thing. You're actually doing something noble and good if you do it in the right way. You can leave them with, "I wish you the best, but I have to take care of myself." Or you don't have to wish them the best. It's okay if you don't. Maybe they don't deserve the best. That's not up to you to decide. You not wishing someone the best is not going to make anyone's life not the best.

Sara Benincasa

You take the best ingredients - the best cocoa beans - and you process them in the best traditional way, and you have the best chocolate.

Alain Ducasse

People always lean toward who's the best guitar player, who's the best singer? I don't see it that way. They're all the best, you know? They've all gotten your attention, you've admired them, you've tried to sing like them. That makes them the best, each and every one of 'em.

Gregg Allman

In my opinion, the best way of showing someone the best way to live life is by living it.

Jon Foreman

The best way to say, "I love you, God," is to live your life doing your best. The best way to say, "Thank you, God," is by letting go of the past and living in the present moment, right here and now.

Miguel Angel Ruiz

I don't think there's one right way to do anything. There's no one best way to be a woman. There's no best way to be a mentor. I'm just trying to be me and be authentic and live my truth and be as inclusive and interested in other human beings as possible. I'm an actor by training, which means that I study human beings and human behavior. That's what I try to do and what I love to do.

Elizabeth Banks

If you have a friend, what's the best way you can experience her beauty? It's to really accept her. She's weird in this way, I accept it. She's hard to talk to, I accept it. Then that person eventually will come all the way out into the sun. I think it's the same way with our talent. We say, "Look, I'm not going to judge you. I'm going to try to use you in the very best way."

George Saunders

And being alone is the best way to be When I'm by myself it's the best way to be When I'm all alone it's the best way to be When I'm by myself nobody else can say goodbye

Edie Brickell

Teaching people the best way to market organically with Facebook, is like teaching them the best way to butter bread, with a spoon.

Jim Connolly

The best way to get trained is to get mentored - live or by reading or watching videos by masters. That way, you start executing based on lessons from the best.

Tony Robbins

Art at its best draws attention not only to the way things are but also to the way things will be, when the earth is filled with the knowledge of G-D as the waters cover the sea. That remains a surprising hope, and perhaps it will be the artists who are best at conveying both the hope and the surprise.

N. T. Wright

The best thing you can do to set yourself apart is just be yourself. If you're fake, you know people find out who you are later, it's like, 'Well that's not who we thought you were.' Being yourself is where you feel most comfortable and people get, you know, they feel that connection the best. That's the best way to go. You always have to be yourself.

David Archuleta

A Quote by Deborah Tannen

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