--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We don't back down from controversy - we…" description: "\"We don't back down from controversy - we fan the fires. People think we go out of our way to create it, but we don't.\" — Dave Portnoy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6de/dave-portnoy-10560_back_we-don-t-back-down-from-controversy-we-f_583381.jpg" --- # We don't back down from controversy - we fan the fires… ![“We don't back down from controversy - we fan the fires. People think we go out of our way to create it, but we don't.” quote by Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6de/dave-portnoy-10560_back_we-don-t-back-down-from-controversy-we-f_583381.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6de/dave-portnoy-10560_back_we-don-t-back-down-from-controversy-we-f_583381.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6de/dave-portnoy-10560_back_we-don-t-back-down-from-controversy-we-f_583381.jpg) > “We don't back down from controversy - we fan the fires. People think we go out of our way to create it, but we don't.” [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Controversy is embraced as a deliberate strategy to provoke discussion and attention. **In simple terms:** We seek controversy on purpose. Key Takeaway Use controversy wisely. Themes media controversy attention Mood provocative strategic Type advice observational When to use this quote - social media - public debates - branding campaigns Key Concepts marketing psychology Questions to Reflect On - When does controversy become counterproductive? - How can you balance provocation with responsibility? A Different Perspective Controversy can alienate audiences and damage credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Controversy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/controversy/) [Fires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fires/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [I don't go out of the way to create controversies, I know some actresses pay their publicist money to create a controversy, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/payal-rohatgi/i-don-t-go-out-of-the-way-to-create-controversies-i-know-some/) [Payal Rohatgi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/payal-rohatgi/) > [“I look at you Across those fires and the dark.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/weldon-kees/i-look-at-you-across-those-fires-and-the-dark/) Weldon Kees > [They walked still farther and the girl said, "Is it true that long ago firemen put fires out instead of going to start them?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/they-walked-still-farther-and-the-girl-said-is-it-true-that-long-ago/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“We’re in a state of emergency Because we’re lighting fires All the way home”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-re-in-a-state-of-emergency-because-we-re-lighting-fires-all-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If I don't learn how to move from a place where I am constantly putting out fires, I will never learn how to plant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glynn-brown-marlayna/if-i-don-t-learn-how-to-move-from-a-place-where-i-am-constantly/) [Glynn Brown, Marlayna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glynn-brown-marlayna/) > [Love lights more fires than hate extinguishes, and men grow better as the world grows old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/love-lights-more-fires-than-hate-extinguishes-and-men-grow-better-as/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [The climate is changing. This year we have come to understand this when we faced events that resulted in fires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/the-climate-is-changing-this-year-we-have-come-to-understand-this/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [“The fires that burn deep within our hearts, fueling our deepest loves are indestructible; the power of the human spirit surpasses even death and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-niles/the-fires-that-burn-deep-within-our-hearts-fueling-our-deepest-loves/) [Sara Niles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-niles/) > [The deepest lessons come out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/the-deepest-lessons-come-out-of-the-deepest-waters-and-the-hottest/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [During the time I was in office we have seen the beginning of the elimination of the fire season completely and are having fires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/during-the-time-i-was-in-office-we-have-seen-the-beginning-of-the/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [The wretched bodies of the condemned shall simmer and blaze in those living fires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyprian/the-wretched-bodies-of-the-condemned-shall-simmer-and-blaze-in-those/) [Cyprian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyprian/) > [I see film as a real opportunity to examine the human condition. No matter where the technology goes in the future, the basics don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-schultz/i-see-film-as-a-real-opportunity-to-examine-the-human-condition-no/) [Michael Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-schultz/) > [Whatever inspires you fires you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-thompson/whatever-inspires-you-fires-you/) [Geoff Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-thompson/) > [Sometimes change came all at once, with a sound like a fire taking hold of dry wood and paper, with a roar that rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/sometimes-change-came-all-at-once-with-a-sound-like-a-fire-taking/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [Let's kick the tires and light the fires, big daddy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-connick-jr/let-s-kick-the-tires-and-light-the-fires-big-daddy/) [Harry Connick, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-connick-jr/) ## More by Dave Portnoy > [All Patriot fans despise Goodell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/all-patriot-fans-despise-goodell/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [We're a comedy brand that pokes fun at everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/we-re-a-comedy-brand-that-pokes-fun-at-everybody/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [People know I'm a Jake Paul guy. I respect people who take over the Internet, and this guy has got maybe more haters than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/people-know-i-m-a-jake-paul-guy-i-respect-people-who-take-over-the/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [You judge a pizza place on their cheese slice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/you-judge-a-pizza-place-on-their-cheese-slice/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [Do I like Manhattan? No. Do I want to be in Manhattan? No.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/do-i-like-manhattan-no-do-i-want-to-be-in-manhattan-no/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [I go on EEI shows. I go on with people I like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/i-go-on-eei-shows-i-go-on-with-people-i-like/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [I think I'm a fairly smart person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/i-think-i-m-a-fairly-smart-person/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [I figured I should have a website, because that's what everybody was doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/i-figured-i-should-have-a-website-because-that-s-what-everybody-was/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [We have no union at Barstool Sports. Nobody is trying to make a union at Barstool Sports.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/we-have-no-union-at-barstool-sports-nobody-is-trying-to-make-a-union/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [I make the decisions nobody else has the stomach to make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/i-make-the-decisions-nobody-else-has-the-stomach-to-make/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [That's the thing about New York, the streets of New York are crazy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/that-s-the-thing-about-new-york-the-streets-of-new-york-are-crazy/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [Some girls are just cut out to be housewives, drive SUVs and sing in the shower as opposed to being superstars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/some-girls-are-just-cut-out-to-be-housewives-drive-suvs-and-sing-in/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [I like coal fired. I'm definitely, generally, always a coal-fired guy. Crispy, don't do a ton of sauce, but kind of a well-done, coal-fired…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/i-like-coal-fired-i-m-definitely-generally-always-a-coal-fired-guy/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [It was always our belief that if we brought out good stuff our fans will like it and we'll go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/it-was-always-our-belief-that-if-we-brought-out-good-stuff-our-fans/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) > [I feel like I see more and more Neapolitan style, that I call 'fancy pizza' - that's not my cup of tea; I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-portnoy/i-feel-like-i-see-more-and-more-neapolitan-style-that-i-call-fancy/) [Dave Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) [Explore all 64 Dave Portnoy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-portnoy/) ## More Back quotes > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I honestly would like to get that Frankie fight back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-mendes/i-honestly-would-like-to-get-that-frankie-fight-back/) [Chad Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-mendes/) > [Drumming's pretty physical. We sit at the back of the stage getting beat up like a workhorse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-lee/drumming-s-pretty-physical-we-sit-at-the-back-of-the-stage-getting/) [Tommy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-lee/) > [I never want to look back on any moment and say I could have done more. So I go all in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-haze/i-never-want-to-look-back-on-any-moment-and-say-i-could-have-done/) [Scott Haze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-haze/) > [I wish that I had known back then that a mastery of process would lead to a product. Then I probably wouldn't have found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george/i-wish-that-i-had-known-back-then-that-a-mastery-of-process-would/) [Elizabeth George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george/) > [It's what the people wanted at the time, but the country could not be half-segregated and half-integrated, just as it could not be half-slave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-wallace/it-s-what-the-people-wanted-at-the-time-but-the-country-could-not-be/) [George Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-wallace/) > [I've always stuck my arms behind my back anyway when trying to block a shot in the penalty area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millie-bright/i-ve-always-stuck-my-arms-behind-my-back-anyway-when-trying-to-block/) [Millie Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millie-bright/) > [I'm sure at some point I will get back into coaching, but right now I need to focus completely on my kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ewing/i-m-sure-at-some-point-i-will-get-back-into-coaching-but-right-now-i/) [Patrick Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ewing/) > [Any time someone achieves success before they've earned it, it always comes back to haunt them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/any-time-someone-achieves-success-before-they-ve-earned-it-it-always/) [Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/) > [In Congress, Florida Republicans worked with the Trump administration to secure funding for coastal restoration projects following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/in-congress-florida-republicans-worked-with-the-trump-administration/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Back in the really olden days, dinner was seldom a ceremonial event for U.S. families. Only the very wealthy had a separate dining room.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/back-in-the-really-olden-days-dinner-was-seldom-a-ceremonial-event/) [Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/) > [We're all painfully aware of how suddenly violence can occur, how crippling it is, and how survivors have to find a way back from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dini/we-re-all-painfully-aware-of-how-suddenly-violence-can-occur-how/) [Paul Dini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dini/) > [Ronaldo is just an athlete. He works so hard and back to back; he is always there. But if you work hard, can you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-davids/ronaldo-is-just-an-athlete-he-works-so-hard-and-back-to-back-he-is/) [Edgar Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-davids/) > [I do spend a lot of weekends on the road. I have to pace myself. It can be pretty busy, but I'm not out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-sinise/i-do-spend-a-lot-of-weekends-on-the-road-i-have-to-pace-myself-it-can/) [Gary Sinise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-sinise/) > [British Forces should be in a position to give back in a ten fold measure any attack that the Germans may attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-banting/british-forces-should-be-in-a-position-to-give-back-in-a-ten-fold/) [Frederick Banting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-banting/) Browse all 9,709 Back quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We don't back down from controversy - we fan the fires. 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