--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Confidence men have a simple rule: never…" description: "\"Confidence men have a simple rule: never drop the con - even if you're exposed. For Donald Trump, that's a way of life.\" — Neera Tanden" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/neera-tanden-4361_confidence_confidence-men-have-a-simple-rule-never_693412.jpg" --- # Confidence men have a simple rule: never drop the con… ![“Confidence men have a simple rule: never drop the con - even if you're exposed. For Donald Trump, that's a way of life.” quote by Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/neera-tanden-4361_confidence_confidence-men-have-a-simple-rule-never_693412.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/neera-tanden-4361_confidence_confidence-men-have-a-simple-rule-never_693412.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/neera-tanden-4361_confidence_confidence-men-have-a-simple-rule-never_693412.jpg) > “Confidence men have a simple rule: never drop the con - even if you're exposed. For Donald Trump, that's a way of life.” [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Some people believe deception is essential to survive in politics. **In simple terms:** Deception is seen as a political tool. Key Takeaway Question the ethics of deception. Themes politics ethics trust Mood skeptical thoughtful Type political ethical When to use this quote - campaigns - media relations - leadership Key Concepts integrity strategy public perception Questions to Reflect On - Is honesty viable in politics? - What are the costs of constant deception? A Different Perspective Deception erodes public trust over time. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Way of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [ So if we cover \[Donald Trump\] the same way, let's say "The Kelly File," we cover him the same way we cover Barack Obama,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megyn-kelly/so-if-we-cover-donald-trump-the-same-way-let-s-say-the-kelly-file-we/) [Megyn Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megyn-kelly/) > [I would certainly not support Trump in any way shape or form, but I want to have sympathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-haigh/i-would-certainly-not-support-trump-in-any-way-shape-or-form-but-i/) [Andrew Haigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-haigh/) > [I'm black, and I don't support Donald Trump in any way, shape, or form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlamagne-tha-god/i-m-black-and-i-don-t-support-donald-trump-in-any-way-shape-or-form/) [Charlamagne tha God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlamagne-tha-god/) > [Donald Trump is a way for people to get a message to the media: "You're not fooling us anymore. We don't respect you. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-is-a-way-for-people-to-get-a-message-to-the-media-you-re/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [All too often, I will see people on the left slam Trump for the way he treats or talks about other people. Then those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-timpf/all-too-often-i-will-see-people-on-the-left-slam-trump-for-the-way-he/) [Kat Timpf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-timpf/) > [ \[Donald\] Trump wasn't even in public life back in 2002-2003. There was nothing Trump could have done one way or the other no matter… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-wasn-t-even-in-public-life-back-in-2002-2003-there-was/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Trump is, in every way, the anti-Obama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-reid/trump-is-in-every-way-the-anti-obama/) [Joy Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-reid/) > [“Although the sum and substance of the happy life is unalloyed freedom from care, and though the secret of such freedom is unshaken confidence...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucius-annaeus-seneca/although-the-sum-and-substance-of-the-happy-life-is-unalloyed-freedom/) [Lucius Annaeus Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucius-annaeus-seneca/) > [I hope that women know that they can and should try everything they're interested in - with the confidence that men have had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-fogel/i-hope-that-women-know-that-they-can-and-should-try-everything-they/) [Susanna Fogel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-fogel/) > [If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-a-general-shows-confidence-in-his-men-but-always-insists-on-his/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [No men can act with effect who do not act in concert; no men can act in concert who do not act with confidence;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/no-men-can-act-with-effect-who-do-not-act-in-concert-no-men-can-act/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Underlying the whole scheme of civilization is the confidence men have in each other, confidence in their integrity, confidence in their honesty, confidence in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bourke-cockran/underlying-the-whole-scheme-of-civilization-is-the-confidence-men/) [William Bourke Cockran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bourke-cockran/) > [“we learn best by placing our 'confidence in men and women whose examples invite us to love what they love'(Robert Wilken).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dirda/we-learn-best-by-placing-our-confidence-in-men-and-women-whose/) [Michael Dirda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dirda/) > [In terms of relationships, women often completely over-estimate the confidence of men, and forget about needing to feel validated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-hussey/in-terms-of-relationships-women-often-completely-over-estimate-the/) [Matthew Hussey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-hussey/) > [Whoever puts his confidence in men or in any creature is very foolish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/whoever-puts-his-confidence-in-men-or-in-any-creature-is-very-foolish/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Neera Tanden > [Between 2009 and 2012, 95% of the country's income gains went to the top 1% of earners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/between-2009-and-2012-95-of-the-country-s-income-gains-went-to-the/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [The Democratic Party, the policies that the Clintons and Hillary believe in, I feel like a living example of someone who benefited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/the-democratic-party-the-policies-that-the-clintons-and-hillary/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [So far Trump has done everything he could possibly do to pit Americans against each other, to sow division, to fuel distrust of American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/so-far-trump-has-done-everything-he-could-possibly-do-to-pit/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [I concede that, in the first 18 months of his presidency, Obama has not accomplished all that he campaigned on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/i-concede-that-in-the-first-18-months-of-his-presidency-obama-has-not/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [Would Americans really feel better with insurance companies deciding whether they or their parents get the care they need? Probably not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/would-americans-really-feel-better-with-insurance-companies-deciding/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [I think a core principle of the Democratic Party has to be a defense of equal rights for every American. At the same time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/i-think-a-core-principle-of-the-democratic-party-has-to-be-a-defense/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [How exactly was Johnson able to pass the Great Society legislation and the Voting Rights Act? Of course, he was a savvy deal-maker. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/how-exactly-was-johnson-able-to-pass-the-great-society-legislation/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [I never worked in the private sector for very long, I worked on childcare, afterschool, health care for people, increasing the minimum wage, increasing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/i-never-worked-in-the-private-sector-for-very-long-i-worked-on/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [Making smart investments in early childhood education could not only generate more than $7 of economic benefits over a child's lifetime for every dollar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/making-smart-investments-in-early-childhood-education-could-not-only/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [One really basic thing is to establish women's property and inheritance rights, so women can be their own agents within society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/one-really-basic-thing-is-to-establish-women-s-property-and/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [We don't have great answers to what jobs will look like in 10, 20, 30 years. And I think it's right for people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/we-don-t-have-great-answers-to-what-jobs-will-look-like-in-10-20-30/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act dramatically expanded child care provisions and Head Start.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/the-american-reinvestment-and-recovery-act-dramatically-expanded/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [I think that Democrats have to think through answers we haven't in the past: How we are going to create those jobs? How should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/i-think-that-democrats-have-to-think-through-answers-we-haven-t-in/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [No doubt, there are plenty of men who have been fierce and laudable advocates for women's issues. But I know from my many years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/no-doubt-there-are-plenty-of-men-who-have-been-fierce-and-laudable/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [What can defeat health care reform? Polls - or more specifically, Democratic politicians misreading them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/what-can-defeat-health-care-reform-polls-or-more-specifically/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) [Explore all 112 Neera Tanden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) ## More Confidence quotes > [The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/the-cia-has-concluded-in-a-secret-assessment-that-russia-intervened/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [I was just confident my work was good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunny-yeager/i-was-just-confident-my-work-was-good/) [Bunny Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunny-yeager/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [Confidence comes from cutting yourself some slack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/confidence-comes-from-cutting-yourself-some-slack/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-ball/i-would-rather-regret-the-things-that-i-have-done-than-the-things/) [Lucille Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-ball/) > [You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/you-want-to-remain-hungry-and-stay-in-a-good-place-as-a-competitor-at/) [Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/) > [Get to know yourself well enough to not only expect, but also control, your response to the unexpected challenges in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/get-to-know-yourself-well-enough-to-not-only-expect-but-also-control/) Senoraroy > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I look for someone who has confidence. Also someone whose energetic, cause I'm NOT that energetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/i-look-for-someone-who-has-confidence-also-someone-whose-energetic/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [Why shouldn't I be confident? I'm well educated, I can deliver a line, and I have more than three expressions. That's good right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/why-shouldn-t-i-be-confident-i-m-well-educated-i-can-deliver-a-line/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [I was very confident on the stage, and I stood out in a red gown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-johnson/i-was-very-confident-on-the-stage-and-i-stood-out-in-a-red-gown/) [Nicole Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-johnson/) > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/if-you-go-to-any-nunnery-and-ask-them-what-the-main-obstacle-is-they/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) [Browse all 11,290 Confidence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Confidence men have a simple rule: never drop the con - even if you're exposed. 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