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About this quote

What does it mean?
Trying to please everyone leads to confusion and failure.
In plain terms
You cannot agree with everyone without losing your mind.
What can you take from it?
Pleasing everyone is impossible.

Where it applies

  • leadership
  • public opinion
  • negotiation

Putting it to work

  • focus on core goals
  • accept disagreement

Questions to consider

  • Is agreement always good?
  • When should you disagree?

Another view

Collaboration often requires some compromise.

More from James Thurber

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  3. The wit makes fun of other persons; the satirist makes fun of the world; the humorist makes fun of himself, but in so doing, he identifies himself with people …

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