--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Save your explanations, I got some…" description: "\"“Save your explanations, I got some questions for you first and you'd better answer them!' [slurred Hellian.] 'With what?' [Banaschar] sneered. 'Explan..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d79/steven-erikson-588_answers_save-your-explanations-i-got-some-questi_1357072.jpg" --- # Save your explanations, I got some questions for you first… ![“Save your explanations, I got some questions for you first and you'd better answer them!' [slurred Hellian.] 'With what?' [Banaschar] sneered. 'Explanations?' 'No. Answers. There's a difference-' 'Really? How? What difference?' 'Explanations are what people use when they need to lie. Y'can always…” quote by Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d79/steven-erikson-588_answers_save-your-explanations-i-got-some-questi_1357072.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d79/steven-erikson-588_answers_save-your-explanations-i-got-some-questi_1357072.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d79/steven-erikson-588_answers_save-your-explanations-i-got-some-questi_1357072.jpg) > ““Save your explanations, I got some questions for you first and you'd better answer them!' \[slurred Hellian.\] 'With what?' \[Banaschar\] sneered. 'Explanations?' 'No. Answers. There's a difference-' 'Really? How? What difference?' 'Explanations are what people use when they need to lie. Y'can always tell those,'cause those don't explain nothing and then they look at you like they just cleared things up when really they did the opposite and they know it and you know it and they know you know and you know they know that you know and they know you and you know them and maybe you go out for a pitcher later but who picks up the tab? That's what I want to know.' 'Right, and answers?' 'Answers is what I get when I ask questions. Answers is when you got no choice. I ask, you tell. I ask again, you tell some more. Then I break your fingers, 'cause I don't like what you're telling me, because those answers don't explain nothing!”” [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker distinguishes explanations (used to obfuscate) from answers (forced compliance), highlighting manipulation and power dynamics in dialogue. **In simple terms:** Explanations hide truth; answers force obedience. Key Takeaway Beware coercive questioning. Themes power manipulation communication Mood tense critical Type philosophical dialogue When to use this quote - debate - interrogation - authoritarian demands - conflict resolution - critical thinking Key Concepts Control truth authority Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate genuine answers from forced ones? - What role does power play in shaping dialogue? A Different Perspective Answers may be coerced, not genuine. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Answers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/answers/) [Ask questions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-questions/) [Don Explain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-explain-402489/) [Drunk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drunk/) [Explanations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explanations/) [Explanations People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explanations-people-334191/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Hellian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hellian-81457/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Malazan-book-of-the-fallen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/malazan-book-of-the-fallen-116644/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priest/) [Save Explanations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/save-explanations-4633390/) [Sergeant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sergeant/) [Telling Answers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telling-answers-4633389/) [Wordplay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wordplay/) ## Related quotes > [“Why do I hate spiders? Gods, who doesn't? What a stupid question.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/why-do-i-hate-spiders-gods-who-doesn-t-what-a-stupid-question/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“She watched with morbid fascination as they gathered at the stumps at the ends of the man's wrists, the old scar tissue the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/she-watched-with-morbid-fascination-as-they-gathered-at-the-stumps-at/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“Retribution seen in natural catastrophes is manufactured by all too eager and all too pious people, each one convinced the world will end but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/retribution-seen-in-natural-catastrophes-is-manufactured-by-all-too/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“You have learned much, Karsa Orlong." "I have, T'lan Imass. As you shall witness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/you-have-learned-much-karsa-orlong-i-have-t-lan-imass-as-you-shall/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“People of civilized countenance made much of exposing the soft underbellies of their psyche—effete and sensitive were the brands of finer breeding. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/people-of-civilized-countenance-made-much-of-exposing-the-soft/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“A book of prophesy opens the doors. You need a second book to close it. Tanno Spiritwalker Kimloc”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/a-book-of-prophesy-opens-the-doors-you-need-a-second-book-to-close-it/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“Karsa spoke in a low voice, 'Tovald Nom, listen well. A warrior who followed me, Delum Thord, was struck on the head. His skull…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/karsa-spoke-in-a-low-voice-tovald-nom-listen-well-a-warrior-who/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [Don't waste your time with explanations. People will only hear what they want to hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/don-t-waste-your-time-with-explanations-people-will-only-hear-what/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [What I don't like so much is to give explanations about people's behaviour... I'm not interested in making conclusions. I would never think about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-denis/what-i-don-t-like-so-much-is-to-give-explanations-about-people-s/) [Claire Denis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-denis/) > [“We were fortunate his brief psychic vision distracted him from what his fingertips could have told him about my face. Of course we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/we-were-fortunate-his-brief-psychic-vision-distracted-him-from-what/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [We accept too damned many things on the explanations of people who could have good reasons for lying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/we-accept-too-damned-many-things-on-the-explanations-of-people-who/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [Don't waste your time with explanations People hear ONLY what they wanna hear!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-waste-your-time-with-explanations-people-hear-only-what-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't waste your time giving explanations .People will only hear what they want to hear .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-waste-your-time-giving-explanations-people-will-only-hear-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't waste your time with explanations: people only hear what they want to hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-waste-your-time-with-explanations-people-only-hear-what-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Life is too short to waste time complaining Don't waste your time with explanations: people only hear what they want to hear”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/life-is-too-short-to-waste-time-complaining-don-t-waste-your-time/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) ## More by Steven Erikson > [“No matter, they weren’t going anywhere. Never again. Two skeletons buried beneath a dead city. No more fitting a barrow for a warrior of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/no-matter-they-weren-t-going-anywhere-never-again-two-skeletons/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“I was reminded ... the way that wood crumbles into dissolution.’ ‘The release of energy. Perhaps a better way of seeing it.’ ‘Such release…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/i-was-reminded-the-way-that-wood-crumbles-into-dissolution-the/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“I am here to arrest your manservant. The one named Bugg.’ ‘Oh, now really, his cooking isn’t that bad.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/i-am-here-to-arrest-your-manservant-the-one-named-bugg-oh-now-really/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [The more civilized a nation, the more conformed its population, until that civilization's last age arrives, when multiplicity wages war with conformity. The former…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/the-more-civilized-a-nation-the-more-conformed-its-population-until/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“People in great need were quick to find blame in themselves, quick to assume the burden of guilt for things they in truth had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/people-in-great-need-were-quick-to-find-blame-in-themselves-quick-to/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“Envy shrugged. 'Can no value be found in good intentions?' 'What, precisely, are you trying to justify? And to me, or yourself?' She glared,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/envy-shrugged-can-no-value-be-found-in-good-intentions-what-precisely/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [Any reasonable ruler would have the expectation and the demand the other way round.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/any-reasonable-ruler-would-have-the-expectation-and-the-demand-the/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“The existance of many gods conveys true complexity of mortal life. Conversely, the assertion of but one god leads to a denial of complexity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/the-existance-of-many-gods-conveys-true-complexity-of-mortal-life/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“All right, shadow-priest, you've been spying — on what? What state secrets have you learned watching me groom these horses?' 'Only that they hate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/all-right-shadow-priest-you-ve-been-spying-on-what-what-state-secrets/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“There is nothing wrong with where we are, how we are. You spit on satisfaction, leaving you always unsettled and miserable. I am a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/there-is-nothing-wrong-with-where-we-are-how-we-are-you-spit-on/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“Why do I hate spiders? Gods, who doesn't? What a stupid question.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/why-do-i-hate-spiders-gods-who-doesn-t-what-a-stupid-question/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [It is an extraordinary act of courage,' said Tulas Shorn, 'to come to know a stranger's pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/it-is-an-extraordinary-act-of-courage-said-tulas-shorn-to-come-to/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“I admit,’ said Spite, ‘to a certain melancholy when visiting vibrant cities, as is this Darujhistan. A long life teaches one just how ephemeral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/i-admit-said-spite-to-a-certain-melancholy-when-visiting-vibrant/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [All art is an intensely vulnerable gesture, and it is made with no small amounts of risk, and fear. So, I have plenty of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/all-art-is-an-intensely-vulnerable-gesture-and-it-is-made-with-no/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“People who make up their minds about something never listen to advice - especially when it's to the contrary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/people-who-make-up-their-minds-about-something-never-listen-to-advice/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) [Explore all 452 Steven Erikson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) ## More Answers quotes > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [You feed yourself. Make sure you have all the information, whether it's aesthetic, scientific, mathematical, I don't care what it is. Then you walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-feed-yourself-make-sure-you-have-all-the-information-whether-it-s/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [“As long as you keep searching,the answers will come.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kynock/as-long-as-you-keep-searching-the-answers-will-come/) [Mitch Kynock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kynock/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [There is a comfort in rituals, and rituals provide a framework for stability when you are trying to find answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-norville/there-is-a-comfort-in-rituals-and-rituals-provide-a-framework-for/) [Deborah Norville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-norville/) > [A religious person answers to God, not to the elected or non-elected official.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/a-religious-person-answers-to-god-not-to-the-elected-or-non-elected/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [Enjoying life isn't about finding the answers, but living the questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-margolis/enjoying-life-isn-t-about-finding-the-answers-but-living-the-questions/) [Sue Margolis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-margolis/) [Browse all 7,843 Answers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/answers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Save your explanations, I got some questions for you first and you'd better answer them!' [slurred Hellian.] 'With what?' [Banaschar] sneered. 'Explanations?' 'No. Answers. There's a difference-' 'Really? How? What difference?' 'Explanations are what people use when they need to lie. Y'can always tell those,'cause those don't explain nothing and then they look at you like they just cleared things up when really they did the opposite and they know it and you know it and they know you know and you know they know that you know and they know you and you know them and maybe you go out for a pitcher later but who picks up the tab? That's what I want to know.' 'Right, and answers?' 'Answers is what I get when I ask questions. Answers is when you got no choice. I ask, you tell. I ask again, you tell some more. Then I break your fingers, 'cause I don't like what you're telling me, because those answers don't explain nothing!”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Steven Erikson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/save-your-explanations-i-got-some-questions-for-you-first-and-you-d/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Answers" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/save-your-explanations-i-got-some-questions-for-you-first-and-you-d/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d79/steven-erikson-588_answers_save-your-explanations-i-got-some-questi_1357072.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d79/steven-erikson-588_answers_save-your-explanations-i-got-some-questi_1357072.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d79/steven-erikson-588_answers_save-your-explanations-i-got-some-questi_1357072.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Save your explanations, I got some questions for you first and you'd better answer them!' [slurred Hellian.]…” — Steven Erikson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Steven Erikson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Save your explanations, I got some...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/save-your-explanations-i-got-some-questions-for-you-first-and-you-d/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/save-your-explanations-i-got-some-questions-for-you-first-and-you-d/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```