---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No deal is better than a bad deal"
description: "\"“No deal is better than a bad deal”\" — Chris Voss"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/chris-voss-5746_better_no-deal-is-better-than-a-bad-deal-297480_2974803.jpg"
---

#  No deal is better than a bad deal

![“No deal is better than a bad deal” quote by Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/chris-voss-5746_better_no-deal-is-better-than-a-bad-deal-297480_2974803.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/chris-voss-5746_better_no-deal-is-better-than-a-bad-deal-297480_2974803.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/chris-voss-5746_better_no-deal-is-better-than-a-bad-deal-297480_2974803.jpg)

> ““No deal is better than a bad deal””

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

## About This Quote

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

Rejecting a bad agreement is better than settling for a harmful one.

**In simple terms:** Avoid bad deals even if it means walking away.

Key Takeaway

Never compromise on core values.

Themes

negotiation risk management decision making

Mood

cautious strategic

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- business contracts
- personal relationships
- legal settlements

Key Concepts

BATNA principled negotiation

Questions to Reflect On

- When is it worth accepting a flawed deal?
- How do you identify a truly bad deal?

A Different Perspective

Walking away may cost opportunities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Negotiation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiation/)

## Related quotes

> [“If life is bad, deal with it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-smew/if-life-is-bad-deal-with-it/)

Andy Smew

> [I am more mature today, so I deal better with the mistakes than the many times when I locked myself away and wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alisson/i-am-more-mature-today-so-i-deal-better-with-the-mistakes-than-the/)

[Alisson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alisson/)

> [Believe me, it is a great deal better to find cast-iron proof that you're innocent than to languish in a cell hoping that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/believe-me-it-is-a-great-deal-better-to-find-cast-iron-proof-that-you/)

[Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/)

> [Basically, after an ABC sitcom I did, I ended up with a holding deal with 20th Century Fox. Absolutely cool. It pays you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-fillion/basically-after-an-abc-sitcom-i-did-i-ended-up-with-a-holding-deal/)

[Nathan Fillion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-fillion/)

> [If I was in a situation where it wasn't working and I had a choice with another man, I'm gonna assess it like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-stanger/if-i-was-in-a-situation-where-it-wasn-t-working-and-i-had-a-choice/)

[Patti Stanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-stanger/)

> [Only by learning from experiences are you able to deal with them better the next time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-villas-boas/only-by-learning-from-experiences-are-you-able-to-deal-with-them/)

[Andre Villas-Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-villas-boas/)

> [Your potentialities are a great deal better than anyone ever permitted you to believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-ron-hubbard/your-potentialities-are-a-great-deal-better-than-anyone-ever/)

[L. Ron Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-ron-hubbard/)

> [We all know there are some major problems in the music industry. Every new act signs a bad deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martie-maguire/we-all-know-there-are-some-major-problems-in-the-music-industry-every/)

[Martie Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martie-maguire/)

> [Gambling is a bad deal for taxpayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-warren-kindt/gambling-is-a-bad-deal-for-taxpayers/)

[John Warren Kindt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-warren-kindt/)

> [Responsibility without power is a really bad deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-califia/responsibility-without-power-is-a-really-bad-deal/)

[Patrick Califia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-califia/)

> [Whenever I see people getting a bad deal I want to step in and do something about it. Of course, this is not pure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/whenever-i-see-people-getting-a-bad-deal-i-want-to-step-in-and-do/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Anytime you have to sacrifice your art, or integrity, it's a bad deal, no matter what they're offering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheem-jarbo/anytime-you-have-to-sacrifice-your-art-or-integrity-it-s-a-bad-deal/)

[Raheem Jarbo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheem-jarbo/)

> [It's a pretty bad deal you know for musicians really. The musician's union is no fucking good at all, you know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motorhead/it-s-a-pretty-bad-deal-you-know-for-musicians-really-the-musician-s/)

[Motorhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motorhead/)

> [Being alone sometimes is better than being with bad company and still be alone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silence/being-alone-sometimes-is-better-than-being-with-bad-company-and-still/)

[Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silence/)

> [Better a bad excuse, than none at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-camden/better-a-bad-excuse-than-none-at-all/)

[William Camden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-camden/)

## More by Chris Voss

> [“Most of the time, you should be using the positive/playful voice. It’s the voice of an easygoing, good-natured person. Your attitude is light and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/most-of-the-time-you-should-be-using-the-positive-playful-voice-it-s/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“By repeating back what people say, you trigger this mirroring instinct and your counterpart will inevitably elaborate on what was just said and sustain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/by-repeating-back-what-people-say-you-trigger-this-mirroring-instinct/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“Every case is new. We must let what we know - our known knowns - guide us but not blind us to what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/every-case-is-new-we-must-let-what-we-know-our-known-knowns-guide-us/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“The Downs hijacking case came to epitomize everything not to do in a crisis situation, and inspired the development of today’s theories, training, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/the-downs-hijacking-case-came-to-epitomize-everything-not-to-do-in-a/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“In any interaction, it pleases us to feel that the other side is listening and acknowledging our situation. Whether you are negotiating a business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/in-any-interaction-it-pleases-us-to-feel-that-the-other-side-is/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“Here are some other great standbys that I use in almost every negotiation, depending on the situation: What about this is important to you?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/here-are-some-other-great-standbys-that-i-use-in-almost-every/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“If I just ask for a volunteer, my students sit on their hands and look away. You’ve been there. You can almost feel your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/if-i-just-ask-for-a-volunteer-my-students-sit-on-their-hands-and-look/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“when you phrase a label as a neutral statement of understanding, it encourages your counterpart to be responsive. They’ll usually give a longer answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/when-you-phrase-a-label-as-a-neutral-statement-of-understanding-it/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“There are essentially three voice tones available to negotiators: the late-night FM DJ voice, the positive/playful voice, and the direct or assertive voice. Forget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/there-are-essentially-three-voice-tones-available-to-negotiators-the/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“Instead of addressing his grumpy behavior, you acknowledge his sadness in a nonjudgmental way. You head him off before he can really get started.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/instead-of-addressing-his-grumpy-behavior-you-acknowledge-his-sadness/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“Notice we said 'It sounds like . . .' and not 'I'm hearing that . . .' That's because the word 'I' gets people's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/notice-we-said-it-sounds-like-and-not-i-m-hearing-that-that-s-because/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“What were needed were simple psychological tactics and strategies that worked in the field to calm people down, establish rapport, gain trust, elicit the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/what-were-needed-were-simple-psychological-tactics-and-strategies/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“they should be teased out. Labeling is a helpful tactic in de-escalating angry confrontations, because it makes the person acknowledge their feelings rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/they-should-be-teased-out-labeling-is-a-helpful-tactic-in-de/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“List the worst things that the other party could say about you and say them before the other person can. Performing an accusation audit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/list-the-worst-things-that-the-other-party-could-say-about-you-and/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

> [“There’s one powerful way to quiet the voice in your head and the voice in their head at the same time: treat two schizophrenics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/there-s-one-powerful-way-to-quiet-the-voice-in-your-head-and-the/)

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

[Explore all 94 Chris Voss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

## More Better quotes

> [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/)

[Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/)

> [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. I would get to my choir class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/everybody-has-their-cliques-and-i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-very-shy/)

[Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/)

> [You can't force people to feel in a certain way, and the sooner you understand that,the better. I feel everything has its way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidharth-malhotra/you-can-t-force-people-to-feel-in-a-certain-way-and-the-sooner-you/)

[Sidharth Malhotra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidharth-malhotra/)

> [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/)

[Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/)

> [The bigger the canvas, the better I do. I'm not so good at understated, kitchen-sink kinds of parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/the-bigger-the-canvas-the-better-i-do-i-m-not-so-good-at-understated/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

> [The Little you Give !! The Better it Gets !!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-stanyer/the-little-you-give-the-better-it-gets/)

[Mario Stanyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-stanyer/)

> [A strong, durable Puerto Rican economy will leave the island better prepared to handle future natural disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/a-strong-durable-puerto-rican-economy-will-leave-the-island-better/)

[Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/)

> [In my first 100 days as Ontario's Minister of Transportation, I found a willing municipal partner in the City of Toronto that shares our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-mulroney/in-my-first-100-days-as-ontario-s-minister-of-transportation-i-found/)

[Caroline Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-mulroney/)

> [It hasn't been a conscious thing, like, 'I don't want to listen to a bunch of dudes,' but I genuinely like music by women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soccer-mommy/it-hasn-t-been-a-conscious-thing-like-i-don-t-want-to-listen-to-a/)

[Soccer Mommy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soccer-mommy/)

> [Life is going to hit you some line drives, and sometimes you'll have to think fast. However, it's better to think first than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/life-is-going-to-hit-you-some-line-drives-and-sometimes-you-ll-have/)

[John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/)

> [I like to collaborate with other people for studio recordings because I believe collaboration, in any form, makes music better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-like-to-collaborate-with-other-people-for-studio-recordings-because/)

[Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/)

> [Absolutely, you can improve and become better at toughness. It's a talent, but it can be acquired, too. I think of it like building…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harbaugh/absolutely-you-can-improve-and-become-better-at-toughness-it-s-a/)

[Jim Harbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harbaugh/)

> [Not having drops and not taking plays off, if I do that it will make everyone around me better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demaryius-thomas/not-having-drops-and-not-taking-plays-off-if-i-do-that-it-will-make/)

[Demaryius Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demaryius-thomas/)

> [Cara Delevingne and I took an eyebrow selfie. We both have prominent eyebrows, but hers are much better than mine. Maybe we should do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-poulter/cara-delevingne-and-i-took-an-eyebrow-selfie-we-both-have-prominent/)

[Will Poulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-poulter/)

> [I never really look at it past one year. I look at last year and my whole goal is to be a better player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/i-never-really-look-at-it-past-one-year-i-look-at-last-year-and-my/)

[Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/)

Browse all 17,085 Better quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“No deal is better than a bad deal”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Chris Voss"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/no-deal-is-better-than-a-bad-deal/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Better"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/no-deal-is-better-than-a-bad-deal/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/chris-voss-5746_better_no-deal-is-better-than-a-bad-deal-297480_2974803.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/chris-voss-5746_better_no-deal-is-better-than-a-bad-deal-297480_2974803.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/chris-voss-5746_better_no-deal-is-better-than-a-bad-deal-297480_2974803.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“No deal is better than a bad deal” — Chris Voss",
                "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": "Chris Voss",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“No deal is better than a...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/no-deal-is-better-than-a-bad-deal/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/no-deal-is-better-than-a-bad-deal/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
