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It is better to discuss things, to argue and engage in polemics than make perfidious plans of mutual destruction.
Mikhail Gorbachev
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Engaging in open discussion is preferable to plotting harmful actions against each other.

This quote emphasizes the importance of dialogue and debate over scheming harmful intentions. Mikhail Gorbachev advocates for constructive communication as a means to resolve conflicts rather than resorting to destructive plots that could lead to mutual harm. This perspective highlights the belief that understanding different viewpoints can prevent catastrophic outcomes.

Themes

DiscussionPolemicsDialogueDestructionCommunicationConflict

In practice

Example use cases

During a peace conference, one might quote this to encourage open dialogue.

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