First place Quote by Steven D. Levitt
![“[...]if you are hoping to damage opponents' mental health, go ahead and tell them how inferior or dim-witted or nasty they are. But even if you are certifiably right on every point, you should not think for a minute that you will ever be able to persuade them. Name-calling will make you an enemy…” quote by Steven D. Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4e9/steven-d-levitt-5284_first-place_if-you-are-hoping-to-damage-opponents-me_193482.jpg)
““[...]if you are hoping to damage opponents' mental health, go ahead and tell them how inferior or dim-witted or nasty they are. But even if you are certifiably right on every point, you should not think for a minute that you will ever be able to persuade them. Name-calling will make you an enemy, not an ally, and if that is your objective, then persuasion is probably not what you were after in the first place.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on persuasion tactics, 2016
Attacking someone's intelligence may feel satisfying but it destroys trust and makes persuasion impossible.
In simple terms: Insults ruin trust and prevent influence.
Key Takeaway
Avoid personal attacks; focus on respectful dialogue.
Themes
communication
ethics
influence
Mood
reflective
cautious
analytical
Type
advice
ethical
When to use this quote
- political debate
- online discussions
- workplace negotiations
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
psychology
social dynamics
conflict resolution
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you address disagreement without resorting to name‑calling?
- What strategies build credibility after a conflict?
A Different Perspective
Insults can backfire, entrenching opposition rather than changing minds.
![“I like [Barak] Obama. I like him. So how far does rationality help to persuade anybody? You know, I'm not so sure.” quote by George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da0/george-saunders-317_barak-obama_i-like-barak-obama-i-like-him-so-how-far_87954.jpg)
