Arthur C. Brooks Quotes

If I have my opinion about something, you have your opinion about something, we don't have to fight over it. And we can have a conversation. We can also disagree without being disagreeable, and we can just disagree, which is fine. It doesn't mean that I don't like you, or you don't like me. We just disagree.

Our civilization is becoming less civil. You don’t have the right to demonize somebody just because they disagree with you.

I get very very concerned when I hear people start characterizing their opponents as stupid. I still understand that because politics is a little rough and tumble at times, but I don’t buy it and when they start calling each other either crazy or evil. You and I, we don’t compromise with crazy people or evil people. And so, I don’t think that’s helpful. Generally speaking, just because someone disagrees with you doesn’t make them crazy or evil.

You have to be able to interact with people whose politics you disagree with.

Differences of opinion are healthy and they're a part of what makes our democracy great. We grow by understanding each other's differences.

I enjoy the debate... I haven't met a single person in Congress yet that I dislike. It's not about moderating your views: it's about being able to talk about them and defending them in a way that's uplifting to people.

I enjoy being around people who disagree with me; and I enjoy being in non-political contexts and activities.

We can be fervent in our disagreements without being factitious with our beliefs.

Years ago on my radio show, I used to say, 'I'm a conservative, but I'm not in a bad mood about it.' I've always believed that civility in heavy doses is essential in self-government.

The most important guideline when it comes to argument is the golden rule. If someone were addressing your point, what tone, what overall approach would you find persuasive and want her to use? Whatever that is, do it yourself.

The world I want to live in is a world where everybody is a bit more uncertain about their arguments and is a bit more open to other people's arguments. I think that we can engage ideas without ad hominem attacks.

It really is possible to disagree with someone's policies without hating them. Grown-ups can do that.

I hope that people who might speak out respectfully and out of concern would not get mobbed or bullied for their differing views.

Yeah, you can disagree with someone and still be cool - that's a thing!

We must first listen, then speak - with humility - to genuinely hear the perspectives of those with whom we don't immediately or instinctively agree.

It's always very important that you can completely disagree with someone, but it doesn't fundamentally mean that they are bad people.

Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.

We need to in this country begin again to raise civil discourse to another level. I mean, we shout and scream and yell and get very little accomplished, but you can disagree very much with the next guy and still be friends and acquaintances.

I do think people of good will can have different opinions but still be coming not from a place of malice.

Maybe Larry Kings cannot thrive or even survive in a world where the norms for discourse are rage, vehemence and character assassination. King wanted to be liked, not feared; admired, not loathed.

I'm in the civil discourse business. I think it takes all kinds. And more power to everybody.

I have and I will always work to promote a civil public discourse.

To have a liberal temperament is a kind of psychological boon, To be able to understand that someone you disagree with is not just a terrible creature but somebody with whom you disagree.

I've slipped on occasion into the realm of irresponsible invective, but I try to avoid it and generally recant when I fall short. Because name-calling does nothing to improve understanding or move the political debate forward.

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.