--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People who fundamentally disagree with…" description: "\"People who fundamentally disagree with you politically or socially are not bad people. I can't expect that other side to have compassion for me if I ca..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/jonathan-van-ness-6662_bad-people_people-who-fundamentally-disagree-with-y_2317404.jpg" --- # People who fundamentally disagree with you politically or… ![“People who fundamentally disagree with you politically or socially are not bad people. I can't expect that other side to have compassion for me if I can't put myself in their shoes, too.” quote by Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/jonathan-van-ness-6662_bad-people_people-who-fundamentally-disagree-with-y_2317404.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/jonathan-van-ness-6662_bad-people_people-who-fundamentally-disagree-with-y_2317404.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/jonathan-van-ness-6662_bad-people_people-who-fundamentally-disagree-with-y_2317404.jpg) > “People who fundamentally disagree with you politically or socially are not bad people. I can't expect that other side to have compassion for me if I can't put myself in their shoes, too.” [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recognizing that political or social opponents are still human encourages mutual empathy and reduces hostility. **In simple terms:** Opponents are people, not enemies. Key Takeaway Practice empathy toward those you disagree with. Themes empathy politics social cohesion Mood reflective hopeful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - political debates - community meetings - online discussions - family disagreements Key Concepts human dignity perspective taking Questions to Reflect On - How can you actively listen to an opposing view? - What steps help you imagine life from their perspective? A Different Perspective Empathy can be hard when views are deeply entrenched. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-people/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ## Related quotes > [“If we expect compassion, we must be ready to offer compassion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wilkes/if-we-expect-compassion-we-must-be-ready-to-offer-compassion/) [Paul Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wilkes/) > [We're in a very unique time where noise equals, in a lot of people's perception, advocacy. And I fundamentally disagree with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivanka-trump/we-re-in-a-very-unique-time-where-noise-equals-in-a-lot-of-people-s/) [Ivanka Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivanka-trump/) > [I'm from a very politically and socially conscious family. My mother always made a point of making us look at what was going on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-matthews/i-m-from-a-very-politically-and-socially-conscious-family-my-mother/) [Dave Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-matthews/) > [It is morally, politically and socially wrong for business as business or labor as labor to participate directly in politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-romney/it-is-morally-politically-and-socially-wrong-for-business-as-business/) [George W. Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-romney/) > [The influences in my life were all kind of politically, socially implanted. And then there was Watergate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobe-hooper/the-influences-in-my-life-were-all-kind-of-politically-socially/) [Tobe Hooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobe-hooper/) > [Now the most comprehensive conception of this new world is of one politically, socially and economically united To this end a small but increasing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells/now-the-most-comprehensive-conception-of-this-new-world-is-of-one/) [H. G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells/) > [“Design is not a politically or socially neutral space. Concepts are increasingly phenomena that mediate what kinds of relationships individual people, citizens, consumers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-gunn/design-is-not-a-politically-or-socially-neutral-space-concepts-are/) Wendy Gunn > [There are people out there who disagree with me politically, and understand the limits of that disagreement. It doesn't mean we disagree as people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-o-donnell/there-are-people-out-there-who-disagree-with-me-politically-and/) [Lawrence O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-o-donnell/) > [People are always going to disagree politically, because we all come at the law from a different perspective with different needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-lance-black/people-are-always-going-to-disagree-politically-because-we-all-come/) [Dustin Lance Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-lance-black/) > [I've learned by hanging out in Hollywood, where I disagree politically with most people, that most people's hearts are in the right place, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-selleck/i-ve-learned-by-hanging-out-in-hollywood-where-i-disagree-politically/) [Tom Selleck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-selleck/) > [Congress suffers a great deal of criticism for its partisan acrimony. But while we may disagree politically, and air our opposition in this chamber,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-bailey-hutchison/congress-suffers-a-great-deal-of-criticism-for-its-partisan-acrimony/) [Kay Bailey Hutchison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-bailey-hutchison/) > [People need to stand up, women need to stand up for each other and say, "No you can't kick this person like they're a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/people-need-to-stand-up-women-need-to-stand-up-for-each-other-and-say/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [I have come to the conclusion that Ben Carson is a bit nuts. I say that not because I disagree with him politically, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cohen/i-have-come-to-the-conclusion-that-ben-carson-is-a-bit-nuts-i-say/) [Richard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cohen/) > [“Any discussion of money and success would be lacking if I did not state that money is neither good nor bad. In the hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-stovall/any-discussion-of-money-and-success-would-be-lacking-if-i-did-not/) [Jim Stovall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-stovall/) > [“Crime and punishment can be summed up in two classifications: there are bad people and there are people who get into bad situations. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-dent-jr/crime-and-punishment-can-be-summed-up-in-two-classifications-there/) [Johnnie Dent Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-dent-jr/) ## More by Jonathan Van Ness > [Even though I'm a hairdresser and I love doing hair, I feel like I don't look like a groomer. When I think of how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/even-though-i-m-a-hairdresser-and-i-love-doing-hair-i-feel-like-i-don/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [If I could only have one grooming tool, it would be floss. I don't want to have broken Cheetos in my teeth. To protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/if-i-could-only-have-one-grooming-tool-it-would-be-floss-i-don-t-want/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [One of my closest friends is a trans man who is incredible. And a lot of my clients are trans women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/one-of-my-closest-friends-is-a-trans-man-who-is-incredible-and-a-lot/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [I think that because I struggled and did get very bullied, that definitely made me learn how to be funny and let things roll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/i-think-that-because-i-struggled-and-did-get-very-bullied-that/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [Typically, you're not gonna find me out at night; I don't go to industry parties. Like, I will go sometimes if I'm invited, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/typically-you-re-not-gonna-find-me-out-at-night-i-don-t-go-to/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [My biggest secret is that I don't over-wash my hair. I wash it twice a week at the most, unless I'm on set every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/my-biggest-secret-is-that-i-don-t-over-wash-my-hair-i-wash-it-twice-a/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [God, I miss TLC.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/god-i-miss-tlc/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [If you're feeling a little down, you're never fully dressed without a strong heel. But only if you're depressed - if you need a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/if-you-re-feeling-a-little-down-you-re-never-fully-dressed-without-a/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [Coming from a town of 30,000 people on the Mississippi River, having 'Queer Eye' in 2003 through 2007 when I was in high school was really important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/coming-from-a-town-of-30-000-people-on-the-mississippi-river-having/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [I think that the ideal of men's physiques in general, gay or straight, is one of the most under-talked-about things ever. Ninety-five percent of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/i-think-that-the-ideal-of-men-s-physiques-in-general-gay-or-straight/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [I used to be pretty hard on myself, like, if I didn't like a haircut I did on someone, I would think about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/i-used-to-be-pretty-hard-on-myself-like-if-i-didn-t-like-a-haircut-i/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [I went from being pretty fit to 230 lbs., which isn't, like, the biggest for being 6-feet-tall, but I had been 165 lbs. just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/i-went-from-being-pretty-fit-to-230-lbs-which-isn-t-like-the-biggest/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [So often, grooming is meant to make you feel better about yourself, and a lot of times, we use it to make ourselves feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/so-often-grooming-is-meant-to-make-you-feel-better-about-yourself-and/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [I remember saying I wanted to be a cosmetologist when I was really young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/i-remember-saying-i-wanted-to-be-a-cosmetologist-when-i-was-really/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [I've worn a 100% polyester cheerleading outfit in stadiums full of people - it is pretty hard to embarrass me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/i-ve-worn-a-100-polyester-cheerleading-outfit-in-stadiums-full-of/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) [Explore all 98 Jonathan Van Ness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) ## More Bad people quotes > [“Crime and punishment can be summed up in two classifications: there are bad people and there are people who get into bad situations. 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You're destiny is never tied to anyone who leaves you, and it doesn't mean they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-people-walk-away-from-you-let-them-go-you-re-destiny-is-never/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If you have the ability and the opportunity to help someone, but you don't do anything just because you're scared or it's inconvenient or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bree-despain/if-you-have-the-ability-and-the-opportunity-to-help-someone-but-you/) [Bree Despain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bree-despain/) > [Really bad people around the world, because of the genius of American innovation, use our products and infrastructure for their emails, for their communications.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-comey/really-bad-people-around-the-world-because-of-the-genius-of-american/) [James Comey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-comey/) > [“If you sought to leave the world, don’t go alone. Since there are too many bad people you can take them too.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/if-you-sought-to-leave-the-world-don-t-go-alone-since-there-are-too/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [“To feel someone’s life drain from their body by your hands . . . bad, bad people who need to be plucked from this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tillie-cole/to-feel-someone-s-life-drain-from-their-body-by-your-hands-bad-bad/) [Tillie Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tillie-cole/) > [“I just can't get with this idea that literature is a 12-step program. If someone wants to read a book to see good people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/china-mi-ville/i-just-can-t-get-with-this-idea-that-literature-is-a-12-step-program/) [China Miéville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/china-mi-ville/) > [“Deterrents properly placed can help. But that is not enough. We are one society, and as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-booker/deterrents-properly-placed-can-help-but-that-is-not-enough-we-are-one/) [Cory Booker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-booker/) > [“Plato argued that good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will always find a way around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-howard/plato-argued-that-good-people-do-not-need-laws-to-tell-them-to-act/) [Philip K. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-howard/) > [Too bad all the people who know how to run this country are busy running taxicabs or cutting hair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-burns/too-bad-all-the-people-who-know-how-to-run-this-country-are-busy/) [George Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-burns/) > [“was my first indication that the policies of Mamaw’s “party of the working man”—the Democrats—weren’t all they were cracked up to be. 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