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About this quote

What does it mean?
Truman expresses strong dismissal or frustration toward a specific idea or situation.
In plain terms
That is completely nonsense and not worth considering.
What can you take from it?
Sometimes direct rejection is the clearest response.

Where it applies

  • debates
  • false claims
  • policy decisions

Putting it to work

  • call out falsehoods
  • state strong opinions

Questions to consider

  • When is blunt language appropriate?
  • How do you handle obvious nonsense?

Another view

Strong language can shut down constructive dialogue.

More from Harry S. Truman

  1. What do you mean 'helped create'? I am Cyrus. I am Cyrus.

    Permalink to quote #24

  2. It isn't important who is ahead at one time or another in either an election or horse race. It's the horse that comes in first at the finish line that counts.

    Permalink to quote #26

  3. He's one of the few in the history of this country to run for high office talking out of both sides of his mouth at the same time and lying out of both sides.

    Permalink to quote #23

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