Clear Boundaries Quotes

A doubtful friend is worse than a certain enemy. Let a man be one thing or the other, and we then know how to meet him.

I'm not conflicted. Because I know. There's me, and there's the show.

Drawing forceful distinctions and being civil are not mutually exclusive.

People are either with us or against us. If the line isn’t clear and there aren’t clear consequences, people migrate to the wrong side of the line.

When I was a child it was very clear what I was allowed to see and what I was not allowed to see and there was no discussion or option or negotiation. Whatever my mom said, that's what went down.

I like definitive things.

The Second World War simplified things like race, and people came down on very clear lines.

I don't like the whole off-and-on thing. I don't like 'taking a break.' Either you're with me, or you're not. And that's how I kind of deal.

You keep your rent low, which takes some of the pressure off. So when I say 'no,' I mean 'no.' I don't mean, 'Give me more money.' I mean 'no.'

Learn to say no, so your yes has some oomph.

Sometimes it's easier for people who are in authority to be authoritarian, because people know where you stand.

Call them rules or call them limits, good ones, I believe, have this in common: they serve reasonable purposes; they are practical and within a child's capability; they are consistent; and they are an expression of loving concern.

I've always engaged in open, honest communication. There's no topic that can't be discussed.

You have to be up-front from the very beginning about what your expectations of the other person are, and you can't make any promises you don't intend to keep.

Our parents were very strict. Not in a brutal or awful way, but there were definite rules, such as after six on a school night you didn't go out, and at weekends you had to be home by a certain time. It wasn't particularly sheltered, but we were well brought-up.

The border between the natural and the supernatural, religion and philosophy, may not always be clear. But there are lines, and we should know and accept which side of it we are on.

I think the most important thing is to, without belligerence, stand up for what want. Argue compellingly if someone tries to change your script.

B.O.B. and I have a longtime understanding - when we're done with each other, we know exactly which one of us has been used, and it isn't me. Good night Gideon.

Separation means separation, not something less.

Whenever there is discussion, I make it clear that I do not want any grey zones, just black and white.

Grey zones do not interest me at all.

We need to have a talk on the subject of what's yours and what's mine.

Being assertive and somewhat really firm has to be backed up with being fair.

We're incredibly honest. I don't tiptoe around my choice of words with Theo. This can start some fights, but in a very healthy way.

There were no secrets in my house. I always knew what was going on.