You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. …
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.
There are different types of conversations, categorized based on how the individuals approach the conversation - their goals for the conversation.
Only a few of these types are productive.
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When both people seek an honest conversation, placing the other player on an even footing, expecting the same out of themselves as they do the other, both members can be heard and understood, and their valuable contributions recognized by both parties.
When one person places themselves over the other, when they demand that the conversation takes place on their standards, when they decide that the other person won't be able to convince them of something...
That's a no-win scenario for the other person.
In that case, at least one person in the conversation is not even interested in listening to the other. Every statement, every word, every idea will be turned on its head and distorted in the mind of the dishonest participant.
This is an example of arrogance in a conversation.
While the humble participant listens and allows themselves to learn, the arrogant, dishonest participant descends into the lies they tell themselves, both about themselves and others.
If you ever find yourself feeling disgusted by or outright dismissive of the other person in a conversation, you are approaching the conversation dishonestly.
This doesn't mean you must agree with them, mind you, but you must always listen.
Never be the dishonest participant in a conversation. It is far better not to have the conversation at all.