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Adversarial Quotes

On opposition, tension, and pushing back.

From courtroom trials to a free press pushing against power, these quotes look at what it means for two sides to stand opposed on purpose. It's a fitting extension of our business quotes page on competing interests.

Business and the state have a common interest; not an adversarial interest.

Quotes by Roy Barnes

The relationship between press and politician - protected by the Constitution and designed to be happily adversarial - becomes sour, raw and confrontational.

Quotes by Roger Mudd

In the courtroom of science, if you have the facts on your side, you don't need a gun - and juries would be well advised to distrust the case of those parties who choose to use weapons to silence adversarial...

Quotes by Robert Zubrin

We don't push back hard enough against the government. We could use, the country in general could use a more adversarial press corps, especially when it comes to matters of national security.

Quotes by Matt Apuzzo

Ability Quotes

An adversarial family law system raises the stakes unnecessarily high, exacerbates the antagonism of the couples concerned, and is directly responsible for making it impossible for couples who would otherwise have reconciled to do so.

Quotes by Louis de Bernieres

An adversarial relationship between the president and members of the press can be expected.

Quotes by Jim Acosta

The perception of Donald Trump in capitals around the world is shaped, in many ways, by CNN. Continuing to have an adversarial relationship with that network is a mistake.

Quotes by Jeff Zucker

In essence, I see the value of journalism as resting in a twofold mission: informing the public of accurate and vital information, and its unique ability to provide a truly adversarial check on those in power.

Quotes by Glenn Greenwald

A key purpose of journalism is to provide an adversarial check on those who wield the greatest power by shining a light on what they do in the dark, and informing the public about those acts.

Quotes by Glenn Greenwald

Act Quotes

We're privileged as citizens of the United States to live in a society where the press can act in an adversarial role in a number of different ways.

Quotes by Bob Iger

Sometimes I think the world is divided into those who have a comfortable relationship with power and those who have a naturally adversarial relationship with power.

Quotes by Arundhati Roy

Trials by the adversarial contest must in time go the way of the ancient trial by battle and blood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of adversarial relationships do these quotes cover?
They range from courtroom trials to the tension between a free press and government power, including specific commentary on press coverage of political figures. The common thread is two sides positioned in opposition.
Do these quotes take a side on press versus government tension?
One quote argues for a more adversarial press when it comes to national security matters, treating pushback as a healthy check rather than a problem to fix.
Is an adversarial relationship always seen as negative here?
Not necessarily — one quote treats it as an expected, almost routine dynamic between a president and the press, rather than something inherently harmful.
Do any quotes discuss specific media figures or networks?
Yes, one references how a particular network's coverage shapes global perception of a president, arguing that an ongoing adversarial stance toward it could backfire.
Where can I find more quotes about conflict and standing firm?
Our business quotes page touches on competing interests, and act quotes covers taking a stand under pressure.

For more on how opposing forces play out day to day, our act and ability collections look at standing firm under pressure.