--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Listen, smile, agree, then do whatever…" description: "\"Listen, smile, agree, then do whatever you were going to do anyway.\" — Robert Downey, Jr" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/633/robert-downey-jr-3620_agree_listen-smile-agree-then-do-whatever-you_1139440.png" --- # Listen, smile, agree, then do whatever you were going to… ![“Listen, smile, agree, then do whatever you were going to do anyway.” quote by Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/633/robert-downey-jr-3620_agree_listen-smile-agree-then-do-whatever-you_1139440.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/633/robert-downey-jr-3620_agree_listen-smile-agree-then-do-whatever-you_1139440.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/633/robert-downey-jr-3620_agree_listen-smile-agree-then-do-whatever-you_1139440.png) > “Listen, smile, agree, then do whatever you were going to do anyway.” [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggests appearing agreeable before pursuing own agenda. **In simple terms:** Agree, smile, then act on your plan. Key Takeaway Use polite agreement as a strategic tool. Themes strategy social dynamics authenticity Mood cunning pragmatic Type advice strategy When to use this quote - business meetings - political maneuvering - personal interactions Key Concepts psychology negotiation Questions to Reflect On - When is this tactic ethical? - How to balance authenticity? A Different Perspective May erode trust if discovered. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agree/) [Agree Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agree-going-2613095/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Listen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listen/) [Listen Smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listen-smile-655761/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Smile Agree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smile-agree-2613094/) ## Related quotes > [LISTEN , SMILE , AGREE , THEN DO WHATEVER EVER YOUR WERE GOING TO DO.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asheya/listen-smile-agree-then-do-whatever-ever-your-were-going-to-do/) [Asheya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asheya/) > [Listen. Smile. Agree. And then do what the f\*ck you were gonna do anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/listen-smile-agree-and-then-do-what-the-f-ck-you-were-gonna-do-anyway/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Listen. Smile. Agree. And then do whatever the fuck you were gonna do anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr-2/listen-smile-agree-and-then-do-whatever-the-fuck-you-were-gonna-do/) [Robert Downey Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr-2/) > [The first thing I do, after I talk with the director and we agree that I'm going to do the role... My jumping off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/the-first-thing-i-do-after-i-talk-with-the-director-and-we-agree-that/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [When all the experts and forecasts agree, something else is going to happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-farrell/when-all-the-experts-and-forecasts-agree-something-else-is-going-to/) [Bob Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-farrell/) > [One thing I've experienced and I feel really grateful for now that I'm on my way out is that I felt that the justices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-verrilli-jr/one-thing-i-ve-experienced-and-i-feel-really-grateful-for-now-that-i/) [Donald Verrilli Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-verrilli-jr/) > [When I say leave me alone , I mean I need someone to listen to me . When I smile and say I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knight/when-i-say-leave-me-alone-i-mean-i-need-someone-to-listen-to-me-when/) [Kevin Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knight/) > [Sometimes you just listen and smile even if you don't want just because you cared for their feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/sometimes-you-just-listen-and-smile-even-if-you-don-t-want-just/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [“Let them express their anger and hatred; listen to them and smile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/let-them-express-their-anger-and-hatred-listen-to-them-and-smile/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [What is important to me is that when I write something, people listen to me. I provide my wisdom to people, whether they agree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nouriel-roubini/what-is-important-to-me-is-that-when-i-write-something-people-listen/) [Nouriel Roubini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nouriel-roubini/) > [Those that fight don't listen, those that listen don't fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-salomon-perls/those-that-fight-don-t-listen-those-that-listen-don-t-fight/) [Frederick Salomon Perls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-salomon-perls/) > [I could listen to this song over and over¥](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade/i-could-listen-to-this-song-over-and-over/) [Jade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade/) > [I love music. I listen to a lot of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/i-love-music-i-listen-to-a-lot-of-it/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [If you're a smart writer, you listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-erickson/if-you-re-a-smart-writer-you-listen/) [Steve Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-erickson/) > [Words can only have an effect on you if you choose to listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/words-can-only-have-an-effect-on-you-if-you-choose-to-listen-to-them/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) ## More by Robert Downey, Jr > [I was kind of like chasing my tail and trying to do the right thing, and was a little bit stupid. Or irresponsible, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-was-kind-of-like-chasing-my-tail-and-trying-to-do-the-right-thing/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Discipline for me is about respect. It's not even about self-respect; it's about respect for life and all it offers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/discipline-for-me-is-about-respect-it-s-not-even-about-self-respect/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Give me a scotch, I'm starving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/give-me-a-scotch-i-m-starving/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [People never change because they are under threat or under duress. Never. They change because they see something that makes their life seem valuable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/people-never-change-because-they-are-under-threat-or-under-duress/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Remember that just because you hit bottom doesn't mean you have to stay there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/remember-that-just-because-you-hit-bottom-doesn-t-mean-you-have-to/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [I don't like words coming out of a character's mouth that I adore because not only is he a little bit duplicitous but he's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-don-t-like-words-coming-out-of-a-character-s-mouth-that-i-adore/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [I don't want to be so confident in myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-don-t-want-to-be-so-confident-in-myself/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Pick a dysfunction and it's a family problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/pick-a-dysfunction-and-it-s-a-family-problem/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [My old man had a philosophy: peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/my-old-man-had-a-philosophy-peace-means-having-a-bigger-stick-than/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Nobody learns a German aria overnight, except Jared Harris.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/nobody-learns-a-german-aria-overnight-except-jared-harris/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [You can't go from a $2,000-a-night suite at La Mirage to a penitentiary, and really understand it, and come out a liberal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/you-can-t-go-from-a-2-000-a-night-suite-at-la-mirage-to-a/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [I'm an actor, a husband, a father of two, and a full-time Avenger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-m-an-actor-a-husband-a-father-of-two-and-a-full-time-avenger/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [I take some pride in... representing myself exactly how I would like to have my son remember me to his kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-take-some-pride-in-representing-myself-exactly-how-i-would-like-to/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/peace-means-having-a-bigger-stick-than-the-other-guy/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [I've always just shown up and tried to figure out what's for lunch and am I going to get to play some racquetball that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-ve-always-just-shown-up-and-tried-to-figure-out-what-s-for-lunch/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) [Explore all 126 Robert Downey, Jr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) ## More Agree quotes > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [“All these creatures spend their time explaining, realizing happily that they agree with each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/all-these-creatures-spend-their-time-explaining-realizing-happily/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [I talk to fashion designers and say I want some money to save the rainforest, and they say, 'Oh, I agree with you completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-westwood/i-talk-to-fashion-designers-and-say-i-want-some-money-to-save-the/) [Vivienne Westwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-westwood/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Climate change poses clear, catastrophic threats. We may not agree on the extent, but we certainly can't afford the risk of inaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/climate-change-poses-clear-catastrophic-threats-we-may-not-agree-on/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [Never be afraid of doing the thing you know in your heart is right, even if others don't agree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/never-be-afraid-of-doing-the-thing-you-know-in-your-heart-is-right/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [ I will not agree to have this bill \[to repeal DADT \] go forward, because our economy is in the tank. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-will-not-agree-to-have-this-bill-to-repeal-dadt-go-forward-because/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [“I tend to agree with that little devil more and more these days.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elle-casey/i-tend-to-agree-with-that-little-devil-more-and-more-these-days/) [Elle Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elle-casey/) > [People might not agree with me, but I think a woman should have a feminine shape, something you can get your hands on. You,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/people-might-not-agree-with-me-but-i-think-a-woman-should-have-a/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [On 9-11, we discovered that we cannot escape from the world. To me personally, this was a life-changing experience, and I realized, as did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/on-9-11-we-discovered-that-we-cannot-escape-from-the-world-to-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [But I would say if the Security Council is only relevant if it agrees with the United States, then we have come a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-blix/but-i-would-say-if-the-security-council-is-only-relevant-if-it-agrees/) [Hans Blix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-blix/) > [We're never all going to agree with each other. We have to learn to value the diversity. 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