---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The bestway to diffuse an argument is to…"
description: "\"The bestway to diffuse an argument is to listen first, second, and last.\" — Anabel Jensen"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a35/anabel-jensen-65529_argument_the-bestway-to-diffuse-an-argument-is-to_977902.png"
---

#  The bestway to diffuse an argument is to listen first…

![“The bestway to diffuse an argument is to listen first, second, and last.” quote by Anabel Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a35/anabel-jensen-65529_argument_the-bestway-to-diffuse-an-argument-is-to_977902.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a35/anabel-jensen-65529_argument_the-bestway-to-diffuse-an-argument-is-to_977902.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a35/anabel-jensen-65529_argument_the-bestway-to-diffuse-an-argument-is-to_977902.png)

> “The bestway to diffuse an argument is to listen first, second, and last.”

Anabel Jensen

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Listening at every stage of a conflict defuses tension and promotes understanding.

**In simple terms:** Listen throughout an argument to calm it.

Key Takeaway

Listen fully before responding.

Themes

communication conflict resolution empathy

Mood

calm reflective

Type

advice practical

When to use this quote

- team meetings
- family disputes
- customer service
- negotiations

Key Concepts

active listening emotional intelligence

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you ensure you truly hear all sides?
- What barriers prevent effective listening?

A Different Perspective

If the listener is biased, listening may not resolve the issue.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/)

## Related quotes

> [If you listen to the first, second, and third chorus of a song, they don't sound the same. It's the same melody and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-martin/if-you-listen-to-the-first-second-and-third-chorus-of-a-song-they-don/)

[Max Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-martin/)

> [“The first duty of love❤️ is to listen, the second duty is too help ✌️”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/the-first-duty-of-love-is-to-listen-the-second-duty-is-too-help/)

[Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/)

> [Listen to your second thought, or the third might be too late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/listen-to-your-second-thought-or-the-third-might-be-too-late/)

[Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/)

> [Understanding God is not attained by calling into session all arguments for and against Him, in order to debate whether He is a reality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/understanding-god-is-not-attained-by-calling-into-session-all/)

[Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/)

> [Always win fools first. They talk much, and what they have once uttered they will stick to; whereas there is always time, up to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-helps/always-win-fools-first-they-talk-much-and-what-they-have-once-uttered/)

[Arthur Helps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-helps/)

> [The word of the Lord never comes to us as an opinion, no attempt is made to support it by argument, it comes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-w-ivins/the-word-of-the-lord-never-comes-to-us-as-an-opinion-no-attempt-is/)

Anthony W. Ivins

> [One argument goes that recessions are good for female artists because when money flies out the window, women are allowed in the house. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-saltz/one-argument-goes-that-recessions-are-good-for-female-artists-because/)

[Jerry Saltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-saltz/)

> [On the stage, the characters express themselves more through words than images. So the arguments of the characters and the tension between characters -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/on-the-stage-the-characters-express-themselves-more-through-words/)

[Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/)

> [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/)

[Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/)

> [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/)

[Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/)

> [As opposed to getting into arguments about, well, these folks have been treated fairly so now we're going to be doing things that, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-opposed-to-getting-into-arguments-about-well-these-folks-have-been/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/)

[John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/)

> [Lutherans, whose arguments and mistakes will not be difficult to contest or discover, do not want to attribute any value to works, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-servetus/lutherans-whose-arguments-and-mistakes-will-not-be-difficult-to/)

[Michael Servetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-servetus/)

> [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/)

[Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/)

> [A flourishing, morally credible media is a vital component in the maintenance of genuinely public talk, argument about common good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/a-flourishing-morally-credible-media-is-a-vital-component-in-the/)

[Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/)

## More by Anabel Jensen

> [The less you blame others the more you will succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anabel-jensen/the-less-you-blame-others-the-more-you-will-succeed/)

Anabel Jensen

> [Always pass a plate of forgiveness before each verbal feast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anabel-jensen/always-pass-a-plate-of-forgiveness-before-each-verbal-feast/)

Anabel Jensen

> [There are a hundred or perhaps a thousand other emotions, or gradations, created by the mixing, blending, and overlapping of the basic ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anabel-jensen/there-are-a-hundred-or-perhaps-a-thousand-other-emotions-or/)

Anabel Jensen

Explore all 4 Anabel Jensen quotes

## More Argument quotes

> [A flourishing, morally credible media is a vital component in the maintenance of genuinely public talk, argument about common good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/a-flourishing-morally-credible-media-is-a-vital-component-in-the/)

[Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/)

> [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/)

[Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/)

> [Lutherans, whose arguments and mistakes will not be difficult to contest or discover, do not want to attribute any value to works, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-servetus/lutherans-whose-arguments-and-mistakes-will-not-be-difficult-to/)

[Michael Servetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-servetus/)

> [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/)

[John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/)

> [As opposed to getting into arguments about, well, these folks have been treated fairly so now we're going to be doing things that, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-opposed-to-getting-into-arguments-about-well-these-folks-have-been/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/)

[Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/)

> [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/)

[Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/)

> [On the stage, the characters express themselves more through words than images. So the arguments of the characters and the tension between characters -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/on-the-stage-the-characters-express-themselves-more-through-words/)

[Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/)

> [One argument goes that recessions are good for female artists because when money flies out the window, women are allowed in the house. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-saltz/one-argument-goes-that-recessions-are-good-for-female-artists-because/)

[Jerry Saltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-saltz/)

> [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/)

[Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/)

> [“Arguments led by subjectivity are a waste of time. And, if they take place online, add to that, a waste of one’s keyboard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/arguments-led-by-subjectivity-are-a-waste-of-time-and-if-they-take/)

[Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/)

> [If in the middle of an argument I suddenly fall silent it does not mean you have won... No it means you should probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-nishah/if-in-the-middle-of-an-argument-i-suddenly-fall-silent-it-does-not/)

[Hussein Nishah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-nishah/)

> [Don't get divorced after your first argument! I have a lot of friends that have one fight and that's it, they get divorced. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-ripa/don-t-get-divorced-after-your-first-argument-i-have-a-lot-of-friends/)

[Kelly Ripa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-ripa/)

> [“The motive behind my arguments have always been to come at truth. I am not interested in conquering anyone with my ideologies or seeking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-evans/the-motive-behind-my-arguments-have-always-been-to-come-at-truth-i-am/)

[Crystal Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-evans/)

> [In presenting a mathematical argument the great thing is to give the educated reader the chance to catch on at once to the momentary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edensor-littlewood/in-presenting-a-mathematical-argument-the-great-thing-is-to-give-the/)

[John Edensor Littlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edensor-littlewood/)

[Browse all 3,479 Argument quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The bestway to diffuse an argument is to listen first, second, and last.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Anabel Jensen"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anabel-jensen/the-bestway-to-diffuse-an-argument-is-to-listen-first-second-and-last/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Argument"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anabel-jensen/the-bestway-to-diffuse-an-argument-is-to-listen-first-second-and-last/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a35/anabel-jensen-65529_argument_the-bestway-to-diffuse-an-argument-is-to_977902.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a35/anabel-jensen-65529_argument_the-bestway-to-diffuse-an-argument-is-to_977902.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a35/anabel-jensen-65529_argument_the-bestway-to-diffuse-an-argument-is-to_977902.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The bestway to diffuse an argument is to listen first, second, and last.” — Anabel Jensen",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Anabel Jensen",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anabel-jensen/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The bestway to diffuse an argument...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anabel-jensen/the-bestway-to-diffuse-an-argument-is-to-listen-first-second-and-last/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anabel-jensen/the-bestway-to-diffuse-an-argument-is-to-listen-first-second-and-last/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
