--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's a way about it: tearing people…" description: "\"There's a way about it: tearing people down, but not tearing them apart.\" — Michael Shanks" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbe/michael-shanks-24763_about_there-s-a-way-about-it-tearing-people-do_2398899.jpg" --- # There's a way about it: tearing people down, but not… ![“There's a way about it: tearing people down, but not tearing them apart.” quote by Michael Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbe/michael-shanks-24763_about_there-s-a-way-about-it-tearing-people-do_2398899.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbe/michael-shanks-24763_about_there-s-a-way-about-it-tearing-people-do_2398899.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbe/michael-shanks-24763_about_there-s-a-way-about-it-tearing-people-do_2398899.jpg) > “There's a way about it: tearing people down, but not tearing them apart.” [Michael Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shanks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He describes a method of criticizing without completely destroying a person, balancing critique and respect. **In simple terms:** Criticize while preserving dignity. Key Takeaway Give feedback without breaking the person. Themes critique respect balance Mood analytical thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - Work reviews - personal relationships - education - leadership Key Concepts Constructive criticism psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure criticism is constructive? - When is it better to stay silent? A Different Perspective Risk of being perceived as insincere or harmful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [Theres a way about it: tearing people down, but not tearing them apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shanks/theres-a-way-about-it-tearing-people-down-but-not-tearing-them-apart/) [Michael Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shanks/) > [I look at my Twitter feed sometimes, and there's just people tearing apart other performers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-hilty/i-look-at-my-twitter-feed-sometimes-and-there-s-just-people-tearing/) [Megan Hilty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-hilty/) > [I love tearing people's speakers up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-k-r-i-t/i-love-tearing-people-s-speakers-up/) [Big K.R.I.T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-k-r-i-t/) > [A competitive culture endures by tearing people down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-henry/a-competitive-culture-endures-by-tearing-people-down/) [Jules Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-henry/) > [Its tearing me apart cause I knw I can love the way yu need it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa/its-tearing-me-apart-cause-i-knw-i-can-love-the-way-yu-need-it/) [Melissa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa/) > [In the act of tearing something apart, you lose its meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/in-the-act-of-tearing-something-apart-you-lose-its-meaning/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [You can either think about what is tearing you apart or what is keeping you together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-either-think-about-what-is-tearing-you-apart-or-what-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't carry this in my heart ... for it's tearing me apart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-t-carry-this-in-my-heart-for-it-s-tearing-me-apart/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You're tearing me apart!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dean/you-re-tearing-me-apart/) [James Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dean/) > [I can't take, seeing you with him, cause I know exactly what youll be, in his gallery, Its just not fair, and its tearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-t-take-seeing-you-with-him-cause-i-know-exactly-what-youll-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [President Trump is tearing apart the moral fabric of this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-gillibrand/president-trump-is-tearing-apart-the-moral-fabric-of-this-country/) [Kirsten Gillibrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-gillibrand/) > [I thank God that you know the art of tearing yourself apart - I mean the way to humble yourself truly by recognizing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/i-thank-god-that-you-know-the-art-of-tearing-yourself-apart-i-mean/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [“While tearing apart a bird with fat fingers,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/while-tearing-apart-a-bird-with-fat-fingers/) [George R.R. 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