Quotessence
Home / Topics / Bargain Quotes

Bargain Quotes

Browse 51 quotes about Bargain.

Bargain Quotes

“If you have quick verbal skills, use humor to deflect attacks. A quip instead of a counterattack can ease tension, reduce the impact of the other person's aggression, and help build the relationship. When in doubt, use self-deprecating humor such as, “Oh, I see, all you want me to do is to cave in, go belly up, and hand you everything you want. I guess I must come across as the weakest player in the universe.” And with tough bargainers, don't give in too soon; otherwise they might worry that they could have gained more and left too much on the table. In such cases, you must let them believe that they have wrested every last concession from you.”

HumorRelationshipToughTensionAggressionAttackBargainVerbalGive InConcession
Book:Influence Without Authority
Create image

“I'll make a bargain with you.' ... Cassian maintained a casual stance. 'If you do an hour of exercises right now, I'll owe you a favour.' 'I don't need any favours from you.' 'Then name your price.' He struggled to calm his racing heart. 'An hour of training for whatever you want.' 'That's a fool's bargain for you.' Her eyes narrowed. 'I thought you were a general. Aren't you supposed to be good at negotiating?' His mouth quirked upward. She wasn't fighting him. 'For you, I have no strategies.' She studied him with unflinching focus. 'Anything I want?' 'Anything.' He added wryly, 'Anything short of you ordering me to fall out of the sky and smash my head on the earth.' She didn't smile the way he'd hoped. Her eyes turned to chips of ice. 'You truly believe me capable of such a thing?' No,' he said without hesitation. Her mouth tightened. Like she didn't believe him. ... She surveyed him again, and Cassian willed himself to stand still, to appear open and nonthreatening and not like his very heart was in his bloody, outstretched hands. She said at last, 'Fine. Let's just say it will be a favour. Of whatever size I wish.' It was dangerous to allow this. Deadly. Stupid. But he said. 'Yes.' He extended his hand. One last time. Keep reaching out your hand. 'A bargain.' He met her steely expression with his own. 'You train with me for an hour, and I'll owe you one favour of whatever size you wish.' 'Agreed.' She slid her hand into his and shook firmly.”

TrainingSarah J MaasDesperateCassianNesta ArcheronNestaA Court Of Silver FlamesBargainingBargainFools Bargain
Book:A ​Court of Silver Flames
Create image

“Death is deceitful, pretending that peace is on the horizon. The truth is that chaos is left in its wake, claiming the souls of those stranded in life. Death is the enemy of love in its purest form. It's the one thing that can tear our souls out and rip our hearts to pieces. The miraculous part of this process is that all it needs to do is extinguish a single, solitary breath. That's all it takes to steal the future of someone; someone who deserves to live more than all the others. If only I could capture that breath before it was taken to replace it with my own.”

LoveHeartSoulTruthDeathPeaceLossGriefSacrificeFutureChaosDeceitHorizonDeadBreathCagedBargainPassStroube
Book:Caged in Spirit
Create image

“You came to claim Tamlin?' Amarantha said- it wasn't a question, but a challenge. 'Well, as it happens, I'm bored to tears of his sullen silence. I was worried when he didn't flinch while I played with darling Clare, when he didn't even show those lovely claws... 'But I'll make a bargain with you, human,' she said, and warning bells pealed in my mind. Unless your life depends on it, Alis had said. 'You complete three tasks of my choosing- three tasks to prove how deep that human sense of loyalty and love runs, and Tamlin is yours. Just three little challenges to prove your dedication, to prove to me, to darling Jurian, that your kind can indeed love true, and you can have your High Lord.' She turned to Tamlin. 'Consider it a favour, High Lord- these human dogs can make our kind so lust-blind that we lose all common sense. Better for you to see her true nature now.' 'I want his curse broken, too,' I blurted. She raised a brow, her smile growing, revealing far too many of those white teeth. 'I complete all three of your tasks, and his curse is broken, and we- and all his court- can leave here. And remain free forever,' I added. Magic was specific, Alis had said- that was how Amarantha had tricked them. I wouldn't let loopholes be my downfall. 'Of course,' Amarantha purred. 'I'll throw in another element, if you don't mind- just to see if you're worthy of one of our kind, if you're smart enough to deserve him.' Jurian's eye swivelled wildly, and she clicked her tongue at it. The eye stopped moving. 'I'll give you a way out girl,' she went on. 'You'll complete all the tasks- or, when you can't stand it anymore, all you have to do is answer one question.' I could barely hear her above the blood pounding in my ears. 'A riddle. You solve the riddle, and his curse will be broken. Instantaneously. I won't even need to lift my finger and he'll be free. Say the right answer, and he's yours. You can answer it at any time- but if you answer incorrectly...' She pointed, and I didn't need to turn to know she gestured to Clare. I turned her words over, looking for traps and loopholes within her phrasing. But it all sounded right. 'And what if I fail your tasks?' Her smile became almost grotesque, and she rubbed a thumb across the dome of her ring. 'If you fail a task, there won't be anything left of you for me to play with.”

Sarah J MaasFeyreFeyre ArcheronChallengeA Court Of Thorns And RosesTamlinRiddleDealAmaranthaBargain
Book:A Court of Thorns and Roses
Create image

“We made a bargain,' Rhysand said. I flinched as he brushed a stray lock of my hair from my face. He ran his fingers down my cheek- a gentle caress. The throne room was all too quiet as he spoke his next words to Tamlin. 'One week with me at the Night Court every month in exchange for my healing services after her first task.' He raised my left arm to reveal the tattoo, whose ink didn't shine as much as the paint on my body. 'For the rest of her life,' he added casually, but his eyes were now upon Amarantha. The Faerie Queen straightened a little bit- even Jurian's eye seemed fixed on me, on Rhysand. For the rest of my life- he said it as if it were going to be a long, long while. He thought I was going to beat her tasks. I stared at his profile, at the elegant nose and sensuous lips. Games- Rhysand liked to play games, and it seemed I was now to be a key player in whatever this one was.”

GamesSarah J MaasFeyreFeyre ArcheronRhysandRhysA Court Of Thorns And RosesTamlinAmaranthaBargain
Book:A Court of Thorns and Roses
Create image

“Develop a specific alternative as a fallback if the negotiation fails. If you can’t walk away, you can’t say no. Too often, cooperative people leave themselves without choices at the bargaining table. They have no alternatives planned if negotiations fail. Coaching note: your preparation must always include plan B. Life will go on if there is no deal, so find out what your alternatives are, work on improving them, and bring a clear vision of them with you to the negotiation. Remember the lesson of Janie Rail in chapter 6. Build your own railroad if you have to. There is always an alternative.”

ChoiceNegotiationPlan BAlternativeBargainWalk AwaySay NoCooperativeFallback
Book:Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People
Create image

“O, sir,' murmured Sheila, still on her knees, 'please forgive me.' 'Forgive you! 0, la, la, la!' cunningly cried the droll, and strutting like an actor. 'Forgiveness is easy, is it not? O, yes, it is nothing. You are a young woman full of pride. O. yes! - but that is nothing. And full of penitence, and that is nothing, too. Pride is nothing, penitence nothing, forgiveness nothing, but even a bargain in farthings must be paid to be made, and I am a plain business man. What costs nothing brings no balm, and you would not like that, you would not like that, now would you?' (“The Bogey Man”)”

PrideForgivenessFairyBargainLeprechaunPenitenceImpFay
Book:Dusky Ruth and Other Stories
Create image

“Living in 21st century civilisation entails a neo-Faustian bargain. In return for your ‘soul’ (or at least your fundamental authenticity, let’s say), you will receive extensive benefits. Immortality isn’t yet available but relative affluence, a well-distracted sense of amortality and longevity are clear benefits. Freud (1908/2001) understood the bargain involved in surrendering thus, repressing the depths of our instincts and giving huge status to the superego. Society will soothe your anxieties if you smile rather than frown, and always reply ‘Fine’ to the meaningless ‘How are you?’ An occasional, darkly leaky ‘Mustn’t grumble’ may be tolerated. Endorse the status quo, have children and don’t talk about suffering and death. Absolutely avoid ‘that odd shit’ spoken by weirdos like Rust Cohle (see Chapter 4). For the superior neo-Faustian package of enhanced benefits, help to boost capitalism with entrepreneurial projects; support (indeed be part of) religion, psychotherapy, the self-help industry and the rhetoric of well-being and flourishing; distance yourself from civilisation’s discontents, especially DRs; do not get visibly ill, old or die, or be very discreet or upbeat about it when it happens. If you ever consider defecting to the DR club, you may rapidly lose all benefits.”

CompromiseBargainFaustian BargainRust Cohle
Book:Depressive Realism: Interdisciplinary perspectives
Create image

“In contrast to positional bargaining, the principled negotiation method of focusing on basic interests, mutually satisfying options, and fair standards typically results in a wise agreement. The method permits you to reach a gradual consensus on a joint decision efficiently.”

InterestPositionAgreementMutualConsensusFairBargainSatisfyNegotiation MasteryJoint
Book:Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
Create image

“I was tempted to tell the whole truth. But in moments when a confession was about to seep out, I stopped myself, because I knew it would never work like that. Admitting to killing the other three would only make the case that I killed Jason even stronger. So there was no point in trying to make that imaginary bargain with the world. Please, punish me for what I have done. And believe I did not do the thing you think I did. It was not an option.”

GuiltPunishmentInnocenceParadoxAbsolutionBargain
Book:Blood Sugar
Create image

“...it is when I'm buying books that I encounter the greediest people: the person selling his collection who will push to extract every last penny that they're worth from the bookseller they're selling them to, will inevitably be the same customer who will drive the price down to the very margin when he's buying books. And while this is arguably good business sense, it has rather an unsavory whiff about it. There's no sense of fairness. Conversely, the customer who brings in books to sell and is happy with whatever you offer him will be the one who doesn't attempt to push the price down when he's buying books from you.”

FairnessCustomerPricingBargain
Book:Confessions of a Bookseller
Create image

“As for what else I want from you...' He gestured to the house behind us. 'I'll tell you tomorrow at breakfast. For now, clean yourself up. Rest.' That rage flickered in his eyes again at the dress, the hair. 'Take the stairs on the right, one level down. You room is the first door.' 'Not a dungeon cell?' Perhaps it was foolish to reveal that fear, to suggest it to him. But Rhys half turned, brows lifting. 'You are not a prisoner, Feyre. You made a bargain, and I am calling it in. You will be my guest here with the privileges of a member of my household. None of my subjects are going to touch you, hurt you, or so much as think ill of you here.”

Sarah J MaasFeyreFeyre ArcheronRhysandRhysA Court Of Mist And FuryFearsDealBargainGuest
Book:A Court of Mist and Fury
Create image

“I whispered to the lurking dark behind me, 'What is your price?' ... Company. Send me company. I opened my mouth, but them said, 'To- eat?' A laugh that made my skin crawl. To tell me of life. ... 'It's a bargain,' I breathed. The skin along my left forearm tingled. The thing behind me... I could have sworn I felt it smile.”

LifeCompanySarah J MaasFeyreFeyre ArcheronA Court Of Wings And RuinMonsterPriceBargainBryaxis
Book:A Court of Wings and Ruin
Create image

“He pleaded. 'I didn't mean it like-' ' 'I'm calling in my favour,' she said. He went still, brows bunching. And then his eyes widened. 'Whatever you're-' 'I want you to leave. Go up to the House of Wind for the night. Do not speak to me until I come talk to you, or until a week has passed. Whichever comes first. I don't care.' Until she'd mastered herself enough to not hurt him, to stop feeling the old urge to strike and maim before she could be wounded. Cassian lurched toward her, but winced, back arching. Like the bargain tattoo on his back had burned him. 'Go away,' she ordered. His throat worked, eyes bulging. Fighting the power of the bargain with his every breath. But then he whirled, wingbeats booming as he leaped into the skies above the river. Nesta remained on the quay as her spine tingled, and she knew her tattoo had vanished.”

ArgumentSarah J MaasMatesFavourCassianNesta ArcheronNestaA Court Of Silver FlamesDealBargain
Book:A ​Court of Silver Flames
Create image

“Hugo își linse un deget cu cea mai serioasă mină de care dispunea. Să spună că era alb era ca și cum ar fi zis „e soare afară”. - Pun la bătaie greutatea lui în aur pentru fiecare membru din echipajul dumitale, își reveni Perucă după câteva momente de stat în cumpănă. - Dublează. - Pe jumătate. - Serios? - Credeam că urma să cer suma asta, nu s-o ofer, dar văd că ai de gând să joci în continuare. Căpitanul termină de mestecat. Brusc mai serios, trezorierul se aplecă peste masă, iar tonul vocii îi deveni mai jos. - Problema e că noi doi nu jucăm după aceleași reguli.”

HumorAdventureHistorical FictionPiratesBargain
Book:Busola către Nova Scotia
Create image

“What have you done to me?" Rhysand stood, running a hand through his short, dark hair. It's custom in my court for bargains to be permanently marked upon flesh." I rubbed my left forearm and hand, the entirety of which was now covered in swirls and whorls of black ink. Even my fingers weren't spared, and a large eye was tattooed in the center of my palm. It was feline, and its slitted pupil stared right back me. "Make it go away," I said, and he laughed. "You humans are truly grateful creatures, aren't you?”

FeyreTattooRhysandRhysBargainThe Night Court
Book:A Court of Thorns and Roses
Create image

“The Unicorn looked dreamily at Alice, and said "Talk, child." Alice could not help her lips curling up into a smile as she began: "Do you know, I always thought Unicorns were fabulous monsters, too? I never saw one alive before!" "Well, now that we have seen each other," said the Unicorn, "If you'll believe in me, I'll believe in you. Is that a bargain?”

UnicornAliceBargainLewis CarrollLooking Glass
Book:Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass
Create image

“Wait,” I repeated. The darkness vanished, leaving Rhysand in his solid form as he grinned. “Yes?” I raised my chin as high as I could manage. “Just two weeks?” “Just two weeks,” he purred, and knelt before me. “Two teensy, tiny weeks with me every month is all I ask.” “Why? And what are to … to be the terms?” I said, fighting past the dizziness. “Ah,” he said, adjusting the lapel of his obsidian tunic. “If I told you those things, there’d be no fun in it, would there?” I looked at my ruined arm. Lucien might never come, might decide I wasn’t worth risking his life any further, not now that he’d been punished for it. And if Amarantha’s healers cut off my arm … Nesta would have done the same for me, for Elain. And Tamlin had done so much for me, for my family; even if he had lied about the Treaty, about sparing me from its terms, he’d still saved my life that day against the naga, and saved it again by sending me away from the manor. I couldn’t think entirely of the enormity of what I was about to give—or else I might refuse again. I met Rhysand’s gaze. “Five days.” “You’re going to bargain?” Rhysand laughed under his breath. “Ten days.” I held his stare with all my strength. “A week.” Rhysand was silent for a long moment, his eyes traveling across my body and my face before he murmured: “A week it is.” “Then it’s a deal”

FeyreRhysandFaeriePriceDealBargainHigh FaeHigh Lord
Book:A Court of Thorns and Roses
Create image

“Hi, Albert,” Quinn called back. He seemed distracted. And Albert was sure that he’d seen Quinn motion for someone to stay down. “How long is this supposed to go on?” Albert asked. “Until we get justice,” Quinn said. “Justice? People have been waiting for justice since the dinosaurs.” Quinn said nothing and Albert cursed himself for indulging in sarcasm. “What is it you want, Quinn? I mean in practical terms.” “We want Penny gone,” Quinn said. “I can’t afford to pay you any more,” Albert shouted back. “I didn’t say anything about money,” Quinn said, sounding puzzled. “Yeah, I know: justice. Usually what people really want is money. So why don’t we get down to it?” “Penny,” Quinn said. “She leaves town. She stays gone. When that happens we fish. Until it happens, we sit.” He sat down as if to emphasize his point.”

JusticeMoneyPayBargainPennyTermsQuinn GaitherAlbert HillsboroughTerms And Conditions
Book:Fear
Create image