--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first mistake is trying to explain…" description: "\"The first mistake is trying to explain morality to a terrorist. Like trying to teach a rock to drive. It is impossible.\" — Greg Gutfeld" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9be/greg-gutfeld-1129_failure_the-first-mistake-is-trying-to-explain-m_694674.png" --- # The first mistake is trying to explain morality to a… ![“The first mistake is trying to explain morality to a terrorist. Like trying to teach a rock to drive. It is impossible.” quote by Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9be/greg-gutfeld-1129_failure_the-first-mistake-is-trying-to-explain-m_694674.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9be/greg-gutfeld-1129_failure_the-first-mistake-is-trying-to-explain-m_694674.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9be/greg-gutfeld-1129_failure_the-first-mistake-is-trying-to-explain-m_694674.png) > “The first mistake is trying to explain morality to a terrorist. Like trying to teach a rock to drive. It is impossible.” [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Attempting to rationally convince a terrorist is futile, akin to teaching a rock to drive. **In simple terms:** Morality can't be taught to a terrorist. Key Takeaway Avoid futile moral arguments with violent actors. Themes morality terrorism communication Mood skeptical pragmatic Type political philosophical When to use this quote - counterterrorism negotiations - public policy debates - media interviews Key Concepts ethical theory political strategy Questions to Reflect On - Is any dialogue possible? - What alternative approaches exist? A Different Perspective Some may argue dialogue can humanize, but success is rare. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Impossible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impossible/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Mistake Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake-trying-567261/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Morality Terrorist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality-terrorist-5511765/) [Rocks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rocks/) [Teach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teach/) [Terrorist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrorist/) [Terrorist Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrorist-like-5511766/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) ## Related quotes > [The greatest mistake is trying to be more agreeable than you can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-bagehot/the-greatest-mistake-is-trying-to-be-more-agreeable-than-you-can-be/) [Walter Bagehot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-bagehot/) > [You want to encourage yourself to take risks. 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You know, it's 'Friday the 13th, Episode 63: The Terrorist from Pakistan.' And each time we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/pakistan-now-is-like-a-horror-film-franchise-you-know-it-s-friday-the/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) ## More by Greg Gutfeld > [I admire President Obama's ability to trust strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/i-admire-president-obama-s-ability-to-trust-strangers/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [America is like the greatest hit of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/america-is-like-the-greatest-hit-of-the-world/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [What begins as a Utopian vision, always - always - ends in bloodshed. 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