Art Quote by Jeffrey Ford
““As Schell had taught me, "a con starts when there is something you want and you are blocked from attaining it by certain obstacles. The good con artist elicits the assistance of those who mean to stand in the way of one's attainment by appealing to their vanity, pride, jealousy, ignorance, or fear. One must first throw into a pile the expected rules of engagement, morality, society, and thought, set them on fire, and then proceed. Think big, have confidence.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Unknown, possibly a lecture or interview
The quote describes how a con artist manipulates obstacles by exploiting personal vices, then discarding conventional morals to act boldly.
In simple terms: Manipulate vices, discard morals, act boldly.
Key Takeaway
Use psychological levers, ignore norms, act confidently.
Themes
manipulation
confidence
ethics
strategy
Mood
cautious
critical
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
warning
When to use this quote
- sales pitches
- political campaigns
- business negotiations
- creative problem solving
Key Concepts
psychology
social engineering
risk
authority
Questions to Reflect On
- What ethical lines will you cross for success?
- How can you achieve goals without exploiting others?
A Different Perspective
Such tactics can erode trust and cause harm if misused.
