Conflict Quotes | Beyond Motive 2/11

top of page

Conflict Quotes

"When you get to 15 and most of your teachers are priests, there's bound to be a conflict."

"When you get to 15 and most of your teachers are priests, there's bound to be a conflict."

Ian Hart, English Actor

Conflict, Teachers

35

"The problem with battling yourself is that even if you win, you lose."

"The problem with battling yourself is that even if you win, you lose."

Caitlin Moran, British Journalist

Conflict, Paradox, Struggle, Awareness, Loss

35

"Breaking up is hard to do. But, bustin him in the head ain't that easy, either."

"Breaking up is hard to do. But, bustin him in the head ain't that easy, either."

Lois Greiman, American Author

Conflict, Breakup, Anger, Violence, Humor

35

"We're strongly in favor of the U.N. plan for a solution to the Cyprus conflict. Hopefully a solution can be found before the end of this summit, but we cannot and will not let it block our decisions on enlargement."

"We're strongly in favor of the U.N. plan for a solution to the Cyprus conflict. Hopefully a solution can be found before the end of this summit, but we cannot and will not let it block our decisions on enlargement."

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Danish Statesman

Conflict, Decisions, End, Solution

35

"You were the one who threatened us with an Inquisitor," the Bishop reminded him. With a smile.The Speaker's smile was just as chilly. "And you're the one who told the people I was Satan and they shouldn't talk to me."

"You were the one who threatened us with an Inquisitor," the Bishop reminded him. With a smile.The Speaker's smile was just as chilly. "And you're the one who told the people I was Satan and they shouldn't talk to me."

Orson Scott Card, American Writer

Conflict, Power, Manipulation, Trust

35

"The irrepressible conflict propounded by abolitionism has produced now its legitimate fruits - disunion."

"The irrepressible conflict propounded by abolitionism has produced now its legitimate fruits - disunion."

John H. Reagan, American Politician

34

"We can do this the easy way,' Oblivious snarled. 'Or the hard way.''What's the easy way?''You leave immediately.''And what's the hard way?''We make you leave.'Skulduggery's head tilted. 'What was the easy way again?"

"We can do this the easy way,' Oblivious snarled. 'Or the hard way.''What's the easy way?''You leave immediately.''And what's the hard way?''We make you leave.'Skulduggery's head tilted. 'What was the easy way again?"

Derek Landy, Irish Writer

Conflict, Courage, Decision, Choice, Strategy

34

"Senator Kerry voted to undermine the troops in the field, and that is not only inexcusable, it is reprehensible."

"Senator Kerry voted to undermine the troops in the field, and that is not only inexcusable, it is reprehensible."

John Ensign, American Politician

Conflict, Troops

33

"When the line started to blur between the fans and the players, sometimes things can get ugly."

"When the line started to blur between the fans and the players, sometimes things can get ugly."

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, American Athlete

Conflict, Fans, Ugly

33

"Boy, you knock on the devil's door and he will head slam you through the wall."

"Boy, you knock on the devil's door and he will head slam you through the wall."

Sherrilyn Kenyon, American Author

Conflict, Courage, Defiance, Danger, Strength

33

"Religion isn't the cause of wars, it's the excuse."

"Religion isn't the cause of wars, it's the excuse."

Jasper Fforde, British Novelist

Conflict, Religion, War, Excuse

33

"I'm your worst damn nightmare, Skeletor. I'm a vampire killer with fangs and a grudge."

"I'm your worst damn nightmare, Skeletor. I'm a vampire killer with fangs and a grudge."

Rachel Caine, Canadian Actress

Conflict, Revenge, Power, Strength, Identity

33

"Some ride the bullet to vent, while some shoot the bullet to revenge."

"Some ride the bullet to vent, while some shoot the bullet to revenge."

Anthony Liccione, American Author

Conflict, Revenge, Violence, Emotion, Pain

33

"The last time I was at a supernatural shindig, I got poisoned and then everything there tried to kill me. So I burned the whole place to the ground."

"The last time I was at a supernatural shindig, I got poisoned and then everything there tried to kill me. So I burned the whole place to the ground."

Jim Butcher, American Author

Conflict, Danger, Survival, Power, Destruction

32

"The whole of that part of Southern Africa which is controlled by racial minorities is experiencing either consistent and regular guerilla activity or is faced with advanced preparation for its commencement."

"The whole of that part of Southern Africa which is controlled by racial minorities is experiencing either consistent and regular guerilla activity or is faced with advanced preparation for its commencement."

Joe Slovo, South African Politician

Conflict, Preparation, Southafrican

32

"I don't have any respect at all for the scum-bags who went to Canada to avoid the draft or to avoid doing their fair share."

"I don't have any respect at all for the scum-bags who went to Canada to avoid the draft or to avoid doing their fair share."

R. Lee Ermey, American Soldier

Conflict, Canada, Draft, Respect

31

"So, anything that avoids a conflict that could draw in, unhappily again, outside powers such as the United States or revisit, for example, Japan's interests in the Taiwan area would be the last thing that anyone would want."

"So, anything that avoids a conflict that could draw in, unhappily again, outside powers such as the United States or revisit, for example, Japan's interests in the Taiwan area would be the last thing that anyone would want."

William Kirby, English Scientist

Conflict, Example, states, United

31

"As a historical legacy, the Kashmir conflict has been an outstanding issue for more than half a century."

"As a historical legacy, the Kashmir conflict has been an outstanding issue for more than half a century."

Li Peng, Chinese Public Servant

31

"He thought to himself that there could be no greater torture in the world than at the same time to love and to contemn."

"He thought to himself that there could be no greater torture in the world than at the same time to love and to contemn."

W. Somerset Maugham, British Playwright

Conflict, Love, Contempt, Emotion

31

"News is so often a report of conflict, an account of problems, a thing of the day and even of the minute, that sometimes I think we make the background darker and the shadows deeper than they actually are."

"News is so often a report of conflict, an account of problems, a thing of the day and even of the minute, that sometimes I think we make the background darker and the shadows deeper than they actually are."

Arthur H. Sulzberger, American Publisher

Conflict, Day, News, Problems

31

"When France resolved, along with England, to lend assistance in the legitimate defense of Poland, the realization burst on us that a conflict of awesome proportions was inevitable."

"When France resolved, along with England, to lend assistance in the legitimate defense of Poland, the realization burst on us that a conflict of awesome proportions was inevitable."

Rene Cassin, French Judge

Conflict, Defense, EnglFrance

30

"This isn't a war," said the artilleryman. "It never was a war, any more than there's war between man and ants."

"This isn't a war," said the artilleryman. "It never was a war, any more than there's war between man and ants."

H. G. Wells, English Author

Conflict, War, Observation, Truth, Irony

30

"The sooner the jihadis go up to their imagined #heaven, the sooner our earth would be a heaven."

"The sooner the jihadis go up to their imagined #heaven, the sooner our earth would be a heaven."

Fakeer Ishavardas, Indian Spiritual Leader

Conflict, Heaven, Earth, Destruction

30

"I do not understand this man," [Tempi] said. "Is he attempting to buy sex with me? Or does he wish to fight?"

"I do not understand this man," [Tempi] said. "Is he attempting to buy sex with me? Or does he wish to fight?"

Patrick Rothfuss, Australian Athlete

Conflict, Sexuality, Question, Truth

30

"An angry player can't argue with the back of an umpire who is walking away."

"An angry player can't argue with the back of an umpire who is walking away."

Bill Klem, American Athlete

Conflict, Umpire, Walking

29

"This conflict is one thing I've been waiting for. I'm well and strong and young - young enough to go to the front. If I can't be a soldier, I'll help soldiers."

"This conflict is one thing I've been waiting for. I'm well and strong and young - young enough to go to the front. If I can't be a soldier, I'll help soldiers."

Clara Barton, American Public Servant

Conflict, Help, Soldiers, Waiting

29

"Even though I don't agree with either Sarah Palin or Michele Bachmann on virtually anything, I do think the unique scrutiny - because of their gender and highlighting the potential conflict between them is a product of the media's desire for juicy storylines. I think it's inappropriate."

"Even though I don't agree with either Sarah Palin or Michele Bachmann on virtually anything, I do think the unique scrutiny - because of their gender and highlighting the potential conflict between them is a product of the media's desire for juicy storylines. I think it's inappropriate."

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, American Politician

Conflict, Desire, Gender, Media

29

"Some women, Dahariel said in that same hard tone devoid of any hint of humanity, "getunder a man's skin until digging them out makes you bleed."

"Some women, Dahariel said in that same hard tone devoid of any hint of humanity, "getunder a man's skin until digging them out makes you bleed."

Nalini Singh, New Zealander Author

Conflict, Danger, Threat, Observation

29

"You meet me after school right here", I said."Why?" he asked.I couldn't believe he was so stupid."Because we're going to finish this fight.""You're crazy," Roger said.He got to his feet and walked away. His gang stared at me like I was a serail killer, and they followed their leader.I was absolutely confused.I had followed the rules of fighting. i had behaved exactly the way I was supposed to behave. But these white boys had ignored the rules. In fact, they followed a whole other set of mysterious rules where people apparently DID NOT GET INTO FISTFIGHTS."

"You meet me after school right here", I said."Why?" he asked.I couldn't believe he was so stupid."Because we're going to finish this fight.""You're crazy," Roger said.He got to his feet and walked away. His gang stared at me like I was a serail killer, and they followed their leader.I was absolutely confused.I had followed the rules of fighting. i had behaved exactly the way I was supposed to behave. But these white boys had ignored the rules. In fact, they followed a whole other set of mysterious rules where people apparently DID NOT GET INTO FISTFIGHTS."

Sherman Alexie, American Writer

Conflict, Culture, Confusion, Rules

29

"In order to have a plot, you have to have a conflict, something bad has to happen."

"In order to have a plot, you have to have a conflict, something bad has to happen."

Mike Judge, American Producer

Conflict, Order

29

"War, misery, and death spared no soul, and took pity on no family."

"War, misery, and death spared no soul, and took pity on no family."

Sherrilyn Kenyon, American Author

Conflict, War, Death, Suffering, Observation

29

"A few of these interviews have gone slightly awry, because every now and again there has been the odd conflict of interest between interviews because of the Iron Maiden record, and I am a bit long-winded."

"A few of these interviews have gone slightly awry, because every now and again there has been the odd conflict of interest between interviews because of the Iron Maiden record, and I am a bit long-winded."

Bruce Dickinson, English Musician

Conflict, Interest, Now

29

"Technically, I am unarmed. But no one should ever underestimate the harm that fingernails can do. Especially if the target is unprepared."

"Technically, I am unarmed. But no one should ever underestimate the harm that fingernails can do. Especially if the target is unprepared."

Suzanne Collins, American Novelist

Conflict, Danger, Power, Surprise, Attack

29

"He scarcely knew who was battling whom, who was winning, who was losing, as though he hoped that by doggedly ignoring the war it would return the favor."

"He scarcely knew who was battling whom, who was winning, who was losing, as though he hoped that by doggedly ignoring the war it would return the favor."

Khaled Hosseini, Afghan Novelist

Conflict, War, Observation, Confusion, Humanity

29

"Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon your reason and your judgment wage war against your passion and your appetite."

"Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon your reason and your judgment wage war against your passion and your appetite."

Kahlil Gibran, Lebanese Philosopher

Conflict, Soul, Reason, Judgment, Passion

29

"Those who live alone slide into the habit of vertical eating: why bother with the niceties when there's no one to share or censure? But laxity in one area may lead to derangement in all."

"Those who live alone slide into the habit of vertical eating: why bother with the niceties when there's no one to share or censure? But laxity in one area may lead to derangement in all."

Margaret Atwood, Canadian Novelist

Conflict, Misunderstanding, Emotion, Pride, Judgment

29

"She likes us, said Umbo. "I know, I could feel it too, said Rigg. "She's really glad to have us here. I think she loves us like her own children. "Whom she murdered and cut up into the stew. "They were delicious."

"She likes us, said Umbo. "I know, I could feel it too, said Rigg. "She's really glad to have us here. I think she loves us like her own children. "Whom she murdered and cut up into the stew. "They were delicious."

Orson Scott Card, American Writer

Conflict, Trust, Loyalty, Deception, Love

29

"He gave me the brochure. It was about the Hunters of Artemis. The front read, A WISE CHOICE FOR YOUR FUTURE! Inside were pictures of young maidens doing hunter stuff, chasing monsters, shooting bows. There were captions like: HEALTH BENEFITS: IMMORTALITY AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU! and A BOY-FREE TOMORROW!"I found that in Annabeth's backpack," Grover said.I stared at him. "I don't understand.""Well, it seems to me" maybe Annabeth was thinking about joining."I'd like to say I took the news well.The truth was, I wanted to strangle the Hunters of Artemis one eternal maiden at a time."

"He gave me the brochure. It was about the Hunters of Artemis. The front read, A WISE CHOICE FOR YOUR FUTURE! Inside were pictures of young maidens doing hunter stuff, chasing monsters, shooting bows. There were captions like: HEALTH BENEFITS: IMMORTALITY AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU! and A BOY-FREE TOMORROW!"I found that in Annabeth's backpack," Grover said.I stared at him. "I don't understand.""Well, it seems to me" maybe Annabeth was thinking about joining."I'd like to say I took the news well.The truth was, I wanted to strangle the Hunters of Artemis one eternal maiden at a time."

Rick Riordan, American Novelist

Conflict, Choice, Truth, Life, Power

29

"Not a moment had been lost by General Hooker in the pursuit of Lee."

"Not a moment had been lost by General Hooker in the pursuit of Lee."

Edward Everett, American Statesman

Conflict, Pursuit

28

"Conflict cannot survive without your participation."

"Conflict cannot survive without your participation."

Wayne Dyer, American Psychologist

Conflict, Participation

28

"Mia stood between the bed and the broken window, holding an active plasma blade at waist-height in front of her. A thick coat of blood stained the plasma nearly from hilt to tip, hissing as it dribbled from blade to floor."Are you all right?Mia gave her a wan, distant smile. "It's okay. I've done it before."

"Mia stood between the bed and the broken window, holding an active plasma blade at waist-height in front of her. A thick coat of blood stained the plasma nearly from hilt to tip, hissing as it dribbled from blade to floor."Are you all right?Mia gave her a wan, distant smile. "It's okay. I've done it before."

G.S. Jennsen, American Author

Conflict, Violence, Courage, Control, Fear

28

"What are we having this liberty for? We are having this liberty in order to reform our social system, which is full of inequality, discrimination and other things, which conflict with our fundamental rights."

"What are we having this liberty for? We are having this liberty in order to reform our social system, which is full of inequality, discrimination and other things, which conflict with our fundamental rights."

B. R. Ambedkar, Indian Politician

Conflict, Discrimination, Rights, Inequality

28

"I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife."

"I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife."

F. Scott Fitzgerald, American Author

Conflict, Betrayal, Indifference, Relationship

28

"War is the echo that never dies. No society strives for war, they are always tricked into it."

"War is the echo that never dies. No society strives for war, they are always tricked into it."

R. A. Delmonico, American Author

Conflict, War, Deception, Strategy

28

"The human psyche has two great sicknesses: the urge to carry vendetta across generations, and the tendency to fasten group labels on people rather than see them as individuals. Abrahamic religion mixes explosively with (and gives strong sanction to) both. Only the willfully blind could fail to implicate the divisive force of religion in most, if not all, of the violent enmities in the world today. Without a doubt it is the prime aggravator of the Middle East. Those of us who have for years politely concealed our contempt for the dangerous collective delusion of religion need to stand up and speak out. Things are different now. 'All is changed, changed utterly."

"The human psyche has two great sicknesses: the urge to carry vendetta across generations, and the tendency to fasten group labels on people rather than see them as individuals. Abrahamic religion mixes explosively with (and gives strong sanction to) both. Only the willfully blind could fail to implicate the divisive force of religion in most, if not all, of the violent enmities in the world today. Without a doubt it is the prime aggravator of the Middle East. Those of us who have for years politely concealed our contempt for the dangerous collective delusion of religion need to stand up and speak out. Things are different now. 'All is changed, changed utterly."

Richard Dawkins, English Scientist

Conflict, Religion, Society, Violence

28

"When you are in deep conflict about something, sometimes the most trivial thing can tip the scales."

"When you are in deep conflict about something, sometimes the most trivial thing can tip the scales."

Ethel Merman, American Musician

27

"This disaster did not force us to abandon our ideal; on the contrary, from the very first months of the conflict, it led us to define precisely the conditions for its realization."

"This disaster did not force us to abandon our ideal; on the contrary, from the very first months of the conflict, it led us to define precisely the conditions for its realization."

Leon Jouhaux, French Leader

Conflict, Disaster, First, Force

27

"I don't like conflict."

"I don't like conflict."

Nigella Lawson, British Journalist

27

"What we've proven is that you can protect the environment, use it wisely and grow the economy and that there is no conflict between the two."

"What we've proven is that you can protect the environment, use it wisely and grow the economy and that there is no conflict between the two."

Bruce Babbitt, American Politician

Conflict, Economy, Environment

27

"Frostpine made a face. Lifting the cup, he dumped its contents down his throat. "Auugghh! he yelled, his voice stronger than it had been since his return from the harbor. "Are you trying to kill me, woman?""If I mean to kill someone, I do it," Rosethorn told him. "I don't try."

"Frostpine made a face. Lifting the cup, he dumped its contents down his throat. "Auugghh! he yelled, his voice stronger than it had been since his return from the harbor. "Are you trying to kill me, woman?""If I mean to kill someone, I do it," Rosethorn told him. "I don't try."

Tamora Pierce, American Author

Conflict, Strength, Power, Determination, Action

27

bottom of page