Negotiation is an art that combines strategy, patience, and a touch of psychology.
Whether you’re sealing a business deal, mediating a conflict, or simply bargaining at a market, the right words can carry immense power.
The wisdom of those who have mastered this skill over the years offers a treasure trove of inspiration.
Here are some timeless thoughts from leaders, thinkers, and negotiators to sharpen your approach and fuel your confidence in any negotiation.
Best Negotiation Quotes
“Everything is negotiable. Whether or not the negotiation is easy is another thing.” – Carrie Fisher
“Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.” – John F. Kennedy
“The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway.” – Henry Boyle
“Negotiation means getting the best of your opponent.” – Marvin Gaye
“You must never try to make all the money that’s in a deal. Let the other fellow make some money too, because if you have a reputation for always making all the money, you won’t have many deals.” – J. Paul Getty
“Know your worth. Then add tax.” – Unknown
“In any negotiation, the one who can walk away is the one who wins.” – Unknown
“A good compromise is when both parties are dissatisfied.” – Larry David
“Compromise is not about losing. It is about deciding that the other person has just as much right to be happy with the end result as you do.” – Donna Martini
“You can’t negotiate with people who say what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is negotiable.” – John F. Kennedy
“Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else have your way.” – Daniele Vare
“Silence is the ultimate weapon of power.” – Charles de Gaulle
“You don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate.” – Chester L. Karrass
“Power in negotiations is perceived. If you think you have it, you do. If you think you don’t, you don’t.” – Herb Cohen
“If you can’t go around it, over it, or through it, you had better negotiate with it.” – Ashleigh Brilliant
“An ounce of negotiation is worth a pound of arbitration.” – Unknown
“In business, you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate.” – Unknown
“Sometimes, the best deal you’ll ever make is the one you don’t make.” – Robin Sharma
“The hardest thing in any negotiation, almost, is making sure that you strip it of the emotion and deal with the facts.” – Howard Baker
“Effective negotiators have a mix of empathy and assertiveness.” – Unknown
“Patience is a weapon in negotiation.” – Unknown
“Negotiation is not about winning. It’s about finding a solution that everyone can live with.” – Unknown
“Every battle is won before it is fought. The same applies to negotiation.” – Sun Tzu
“Never cut what you can untie.” – Joseph Joubert
“You don’t have to take every deal. Sometimes walking away is the smartest move.” – Unknown
“Preparation is the key to a successful negotiation.” – Unknown
“The difference between successful and unsuccessful negotiators is often a willingness to listen.” – Unknown
“If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.” – Nora Roberts
“Negotiation isn’t about manipulation. It’s about communication and connection.” – Unknown
“Good negotiation is not about being right but about being effective.” – Unknown
“An open mind is the most valuable tool in negotiation.” – Unknown
“Understanding what the other party wants is half the battle.” – Unknown
“In negotiations, learn to listen more than you speak.” – Unknown
“Every negotiation is a dance. Know when to lead, when to follow, and when to step aside.” – Unknown
“Never underestimate the power of silence in negotiation.” – Unknown
“You can’t negotiate with a closed mind or a closed heart.” – Unknown
“Start with no and let the negotiation build from there.” – Jim Camp
“Sometimes the best negotiation tactic is simply to walk away.” – Unknown
“Trust is the currency of negotiation.” – Unknown
“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” – Stephen R. Covey
“Be soft on the person, but firm on the issue.” – Roger Fisher and William Ury
“Don’t bargain yourself out of a win before you start negotiating.” – Unknown
“The art of negotiation is finding the perfect balance between firmness and flexibility.” – Unknown
“Successful negotiators don’t fear conflict; they embrace it as an opportunity.” – Unknown
“Win-win doesn’t mean both parties get everything they want. It means both walk away satisfied.” – Unknown
“Negotiation is the art of making someone else think they got what they wanted.” – Unknown
“Knowing what to give up is just as important as knowing what to fight for.” – Unknown
“Emotion is the enemy of a good deal.” – Unknown
“Negotiate with the goal of building a relationship, not just closing a deal.” – Unknown
“The strongest negotiators are those who don’t need the deal.” – Unknown
“Everything you want is on the other side of a tough conversation.” – Unknown
“Kindness in negotiation is not a weakness; it’s a strategy.” – Unknown
“Good deals are made by good listeners.” – Unknown
“A great negotiator knows when to be quiet and let the other party speak.” – Unknown
“Timing can make or break a negotiation.” – Unknown
“Start high and let them bring you to where you want to be.” – Unknown
“Control the frame, and you control the negotiation.” – Unknown
“A deal that feels unfair to one side is unlikely to last.” – Unknown
“Stay calm; desperation is the quickest way to lose leverage.” – Unknown
“The best deals are those that leave both parties looking forward to working together again.” – Unknown
“Say less, mean more.” – Unknown
“The ability to delay is often the secret to closing a better deal.” – Unknown
“Focus on interests, not positions.” – Roger Fisher and William Ury
“Don’t negotiate with fear, or fear will dominate the deal.” – Unknown
“An effective negotiator doesn’t just hear; they truly listen.” – Unknown
“Negotiation is not about compromise; it’s about finding creative solutions.” – Unknown
“The way you open a negotiation often sets the tone for the entire process.” – Unknown
“The biggest mistakes in negotiation happen when emotions take the wheel.” – Unknown
“Even the smallest concessions can build goodwill in a negotiation.” – Unknown
“Never rush a negotiation; haste often leads to regret.” – Unknown
“Always leave room for the other party to feel like they’ve won.” – Unknown
“Negotiation isn’t about domination; it’s about collaboration.” – Unknown
“You can learn a lot from what’s left unsaid in a negotiation.” – Unknown
“Never be afraid to push back politely in a negotiation.” – Unknown
“The best negotiators prepare for a ‘no’ but aim for a ‘yes.’” – Unknown
“Good negotiation skills can open doors money can’t.” – Unknown
“Sometimes, you need to lose a battle to win the war in negotiation.” – Unknown
“Even when you say no, leave the door open for future opportunities.” – Unknown
“The key to negotiation is not compromise but understanding.” – Unknown
“Great negotiators are masters of perspective-taking.” – Unknown
“Your leverage in negotiation is only as strong as your ability to say no.” – Unknown
“The most successful negotiators see every problem as an opportunity.” – Unknown
“Negotiation is the art of giving and taking without losing your footing.” – Unknown
“Remember, the deal is only good if both sides feel good about it.” – Unknown
“Learn to make small talk; it can make a big difference in the negotiation.” – Unknown
“People often forget what you say, but they’ll remember how you made them feel during a negotiation.” – Unknown
“Learn the rules of the game, then negotiate to change them.” – Unknown
“Negotiation is the bridge between conflict and resolution.” – Unknown
“The first offer is rarely the best offer.” – Unknown
“Fairness is not a weakness in negotiation; it’s a strength.” – Unknown
“Every negotiation is a chance to build trust, not just gain an advantage.” – Unknown
“Keep your ego out of the negotiation room.” – Unknown
“Negotiation is a journey of discovery, not a battle of wills.” – Unknown
“The art of negotiation lies in knowing when to press and when to pause.” – Unknown
“People don’t always remember the terms of the deal, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel.” – Unknown
“Empathy is your greatest ally in any negotiation.” – Unknown
“Success in negotiation comes from knowing what you can live without.” – Unknown
“Your words are your tools. Use them wisely in negotiation.” – Unknown
“Flexibility shows strength, not weakness, in negotiation.” – Unknown
“A firm handshake at the start of a negotiation can be as powerful as the final agreement.” – Unknown
“Negotiation is the ultimate test of your ability to find common ground.” – Unknown
