Answers Quote by Judith Martin
“It has always puzzled me, in my business, that people think they have to answer questions, no matter how disagreeable or dangerous, just because they were asked. Of course, we journalists would be out of business if they didn't.”
About This Quote
People often feel compelled to answer every question, even risky ones, because they fear losing relevance.
In simple terms: Fear of irrelevance forces answering dangerous questions.
Consider when to decline harmful inquiries.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- journalism
- customer service
- public speaking
- negotiation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you refuse to answer?
- How to balance honesty with safety?
Answering may cause harm or misinformation.