---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If a statement begs a question, don't…"
description: "\"If a statement begs a question, don't give it one. It's only going to use the question to get alcohol or drugs.\" — John Alejandro King"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf5/john-alejandro-king-10499_truth-seeking_if-a-statement-begs-a-question-don-t-giv_1810435.jpg"
---

#  If a statement begs a question, don't give it one. It's…

![“If a statement begs a question, don't give it one. It's only going to use the question to get alcohol or drugs.” quote by John Alejandro King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf5/john-alejandro-king-10499_truth-seeking_if-a-statement-begs-a-question-don-t-giv_1810435.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf5/john-alejandro-king-10499_truth-seeking_if-a-statement-begs-a-question-don-t-giv_1810435.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf5/john-alejandro-king-10499_truth-seeking_if-a-statement-begs-a-question-don-t-giv_1810435.jpg)

> “If a statement begs a question, don't give it one. It's only going to use the question to get alcohol or drugs.”

[John Alejandro King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-alejandro-king/)

## About This Quote

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

When a question is used to avoid answering, it serves as a distraction; refusing to engage prevents manipulation.

**In simple terms:** Don’t let a question be a diversion for ulterior motives.

Key Takeaway

Avoid answering loaded questions.

Themes

logic communication manipulation ethics dialogue

Mood

defensive thoughtful assertive

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- debates
- interviews
- media interviews
- personal arguments
- legal cross‑examination

Key Concepts

rhetorical tactics cognitive load deflection

Questions to Reflect On

- What strategies help you stay on topic when faced with a loaded question?
- When is it appropriate to challenge the premise of a question?

A Different Perspective

Some questions may be genuine but still require careful handling.

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[Begs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/begs/) [Begs Question](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/begs-question-2110525/) [Question Alcohol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question-alcohol-2110524/) [Statement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statement/) [Statement Begs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statement-begs-2110523/) [Truth Seeking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-seeking/)

## Related quotes

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> [“If someone throws aside their pride and begs with all their heart, and if they do so in vain, then they are never quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hardinge/if-someone-throws-aside-their-pride-and-begs-with-all-their-heart-and/)

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> [Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-5-42/give-to-the-one-who-begs-from-you-and-do-not-refuse-the-one-who-would/)

[Matthew 5:42](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-5-42/)

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> [The Negro pays for what he wants and begs for what he needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-miller/the-negro-pays-for-what-he-wants-and-begs-for-what-he-needs/)

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> [And I think that what is of concern is that they seem to be bringing skills from the scientific world into the interrogation room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-mayer/and-i-think-that-what-is-of-concern-is-that-they-seem-to-be-bringing/)

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> [“Please,” he begs. “Please let me fuck her.” “You want to fuck that pussy? It’s mine, though.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/please-he-begs-please-let-me-fuck-her-you-want-to-fuck-that-pussy-it/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [The key to getting everything you want is to never put all your begs in one ask-it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/the-key-to-getting-everything-you-want-is-to-never-put-all-your-begs/)

[Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/)

> [If you don't open the door to him who begs your alms, one day you will have to open it to the physician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/if-you-don-t-open-the-door-to-him-who-begs-your-alms-one-day-you-will/)

[Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/)

> [“Who's poorer, the one who begs for money or those who have not enough to give away? Or are they reflecting one another and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sacredfire/who-s-poorer-the-one-who-begs-for-money-or-those-who-have-not-enough/)

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> [Doing a movie about Steve Jobs is just generally a provocative thing to do, whoever does it, and it begs a lot of questioning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-michael-stern/doing-a-movie-about-steve-jobs-is-just-generally-a-provocative-thing/)

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[Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/)

> [When good media takes a bounded form, and comes once in a period of time, it begs to be consumed as a whole -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-battelle/when-good-media-takes-a-bounded-form-and-comes-once-in-a-period-of/)

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## More by John Alejandro King

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[John Alejandro King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-alejandro-king/)

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[John Alejandro King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-alejandro-king/)

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## More Begs quotes

> [When good media takes a bounded form, and comes once in a period of time, it begs to be consumed as a whole -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-battelle/when-good-media-takes-a-bounded-form-and-comes-once-in-a-period-of/)

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