--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As Schell had taught me, \"a con starts…" description: "\"“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 artis..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b1/jeffrey-ford-35775_art_as-schell-had-taught-me-a-con-starts-whe_2085621.jpg" --- # As Schell had taught me, "a con starts when there is… ![“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…” quote by Jeffrey Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b1/jeffrey-ford-35775_art_as-schell-had-taught-me-a-con-starts-whe_2085621.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b1/jeffrey-ford-35775_art_as-schell-had-taught-me-a-con-starts-whe_2085621.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b1/jeffrey-ford-35775_art_as-schell-had-taught-me-a-con-starts-whe_2085621.jpg) > ““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.”” [Jeffrey Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-ford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Con artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/con-artist/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Rules of engagement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules-of-engagement/) ## Related quotes > [Obstacles become monsters in your head; evil horrible creatures. Obstacles are sometimes good things. 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