Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Adams suggests solving problems by identifying and mocking the core belief that creates them until the holder is forced to reconsider.
In plain terms
Find the belief causing a problem, then ridicule it to prompt change.
What can you take from it?
Challenge underlying assumptions to resolve issues.

Where it applies

  • conflict resolution
  • team meetings

Putting it to work

  • use gentle satire
  • encourage self‑reflection

Questions to consider

  • What core belief is driving this conflict?
  • How can you question it without offense?

Another view

Mocking beliefs can damage relationships if not done respectfully.

More from Scott Adams

  1. The world isn't fair, but as long as it's tilting in my direction I find that there's a natural cap to my righteous indignation.

    Permalink to quote #4
  2. If there is one thing that our role models in this election have taught us, it's that omitting important information is completely different from lying.

    Permalink to quote #6
  3. They say that dogs lick their own genitalia because they can. But I think it's at least partially because they don't have the Internet.

    Permalink to quote #3

Related quotes

  1. If you say to someone who has ears to hear: 'What you are doing to me is not just,' you may touch and awaken at its source the spirit of attention and love. Bu…

    Simone WeilSimone Weil quote #20
  2. Here again, there is no tabulation; for us it is left to sacrifice literary charm, and even some accuracy, in order to bring out the one great point. The cause…

    Aleister CrowleyAleister Crowley quote #51
  3. Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

    Napoleon BonaparteNapoleon Bonaparte quote #209