--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The thing about negotiations, not to…" description: "\"“The thing about negotiations, not to mention the manipulation, is you can't go too far in any direction. Refusing once is good, twice is usually okay ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a2/sarah-dessen-110_life_the-thing-about-negotiations-not-to-ment_482633.png" --- # The thing about negotiations, not to mention the… ![“The thing about negotiations, not to mention the manipulation, is you can't go too far in any direction. Refusing once is good, twice is usually okay but a third is risky. You never know when the third person will stop playing and you end up with nothing.” quote by Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a2/sarah-dessen-110_life_the-thing-about-negotiations-not-to-ment_482633.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a2/sarah-dessen-110_life_the-thing-about-negotiations-not-to-ment_482633.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a2/sarah-dessen-110_life_the-thing-about-negotiations-not-to-ment_482633.png) > ““The thing about negotiations, not to mention the manipulation, is you can't go too far in any direction. Refusing once is good, twice is usually okay but a third is risky. You never know when the third person will stop playing and you end up with nothing.”” [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Negotiations require balance; pushing too far repeatedly risks losing everything. **In simple terms:** Don’t overpush in negotiations. Key Takeaway Know when to stop. Themes negotiation balance risk strategy Mood cautious strategic Type advisory philosophical When to use this quote - business deals - personal conflicts - team negotiations Key Concepts game theory power dynamics trust Questions to Reflect On - When have you pushed too far? - How can you gauge the right limit? A Different Perspective Repeated pressure can damage relationships and outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Manipulation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manipulation/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nate/) [Negotiation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiation/) [Negotiations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiations/) ## Related quotes > [“What is family? They were the people who claimed you. 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