---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We know - intellectually - that…"
description: "\"We know - intellectually - that confronting an issue is the only way to resolve it. But any resolution will disrupt the status quo. Given the choice be..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/margaret-heffernan-6923_attractive_we-know-intellectually-that-confronting_1099680.jpg"
---

#  We know - intellectually - that confronting an issue is…

![“We know - intellectually - that confronting an issue is the only way to resolve it. But any resolution will disrupt the status quo. Given the choice between conflict and change on the one hand, and inertia on the other, the ostrich position can seem very attractive.” quote by Margaret Heffernan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/margaret-heffernan-6923_attractive_we-know-intellectually-that-confronting_1099680.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/margaret-heffernan-6923_attractive_we-know-intellectually-that-confronting_1099680.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/margaret-heffernan-6923_attractive_we-know-intellectually-that-confronting_1099680.jpg)

> “We know - intellectually - that confronting an issue is the only way to resolve it. But any resolution will disrupt the status quo. Given the choice between conflict and change on the one hand, and inertia on the other, the ostrich position can seem very attractive.”

[Margaret Heffernan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-heffernan/)

## About This Quote

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

Confronting issues creates change, but people often choose inertia to avoid disruption.

**In simple terms:** Conflict drives change, but is scary.

Key Takeaway

Embrace constructive conflict.

Themes

change conflict status quo

Mood

thoughtful inspirational

Type

motivational strategic

When to use this quote

- business
- politics
- personal development

Key Concepts

growth innovation

Questions to Reflect On

- When is conflict necessary?
- How can you manage disruption?

A Different Perspective

Change can be destabilizing.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) [Inertia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inertia/) [Issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/issues/) [Resolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolution/) [Resolve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolve/) [Status quo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/status-quo/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/)

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