--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's a certain edge about cruelty. If…" description: "\"There's a certain edge about cruelty. If you're honest about it, most people wince, but say it had to be said.\" — Pete Waterman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33d/pete-waterman-27826_certain_there-s-a-certain-edge-about-cruelty-if_4263.png" --- # There's a certain edge about cruelty. If you're honest… ![“There's a certain edge about cruelty. If you're honest about it, most people wince, but say it had to be said.” quote by Pete Waterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33d/pete-waterman-27826_certain_there-s-a-certain-edge-about-cruelty-if_4263.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33d/pete-waterman-27826_certain_there-s-a-certain-edge-about-cruelty-if_4263.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33d/pete-waterman-27826_certain_there-s-a-certain-edge-about-cruelty-if_4263.png) > “There's a certain edge about cruelty. If you're honest about it, most people wince, but say it had to be said.” [Pete Waterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-waterman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It acknowledges that cruelty can be a necessary, uncomfortable truth that must be spoken despite its harshness. **In simple terms:** Cruelty is a hard truth. Key Takeaway Speak despite discomfort. Themes truth discomfort honesty social norms necessity Mood direct unflinching serious Type maxim reflection When to use this quote - public debate - conflict resolution - media reporting - personal relationships - policy advocacy Key Concepts ethical communication psychology of pain social critique Practical Applications - opinion column - counseling session Questions to Reflect On - When is it justified to voice cruelty? - What are the risks of silence? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cruelty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cruelty/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [People wince when something is in bad taste. They laugh when it's funny. If it's too dirty or wrong, they won't laugh. 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They shouldn't be directed at other photographers; their point is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-armstrong-jones-1st-earl-of-snowdon/i-believe-that-photographs-should-be-simple-technically-and-easy-to/) [Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-armstrong-jones-1st-earl-of-snowdon/) ## More by Pete Waterman > [The public are not stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-waterman/the-public-are-not-stupid/) [Pete Waterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-waterman/) > [If you're rude for television's sake, it ain't reality TV.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-waterman/if-you-re-rude-for-television-s-sake-it-ain-t-reality-tv/) [Pete Waterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-waterman/) > [The public are always right... but I think they've got it wrong tonight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-waterman/the-public-are-always-right-but-i-think-they-ve-got-it-wrong-tonight/) [Pete Waterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-waterman/) > [I was very cheap - that's the way I'd always worked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-waterman/i-was-very-cheap-that-s-the-way-i-d-always-worked/) [Pete Waterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-waterman/) > [Spin Me Round was number one all over the world, everywhere. 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