I shall argue that strong men, conversely, know when to compromise and that all principles can be compromised to serve a greater principle.

The wretched have no compassion, they can do good only from strong principles of duty.

Resort is had to ridicule only when reason is against us.

I had to abandon free market principles in order to save the free market system.

The ‚morality of compromise‘ sounds contradictory. Compromise is usually a sign of weakness, or an admission of defeat. Strong men don’t compromise, it is said, and principles should never be compromised.

If you don’t like what someone has to say, argue with them.

All compromise is based on give and take, but there can be no give and take on fundamentals. Any compromise on mere fundamentals is a surrender. For it is all give and no take.

Principles have no real force except when one is well-fed.

Don’t hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.

It is, generally, in the season of prosperity that men discover their real temper, principles, and designs.

I glory in the distinguishing grace of God and will not, by the grace of God, step one inch from my principles or think of adhering to the present fashionable sort of religion.

We want everybody to act like adults, quit playing games, realize that it’s not just my way or the highway.

You may either win your peace or buy it: win it, by resistance to evil; buy it, by compromise with evil.

I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.

You can only have one aim per debate.

Custom is our nature. What are our natural principles but principles of custom?

People’s minds are changed through observation and not through argument.

Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government.

A man is usually more careful of his money than he is of his principles.

A principle is the expression of perfection, and as imperfect beings like us cannot practise perfection, we devise every moment limits of its compromise in practice.

My own experience is use the tools that are out there. Use the digital world. But never lose sight of the need to reach out and talk to other people who don’t share your view. Listen to them and see if you can find a way to compromise.

Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are.

What can you do against the lunatic who is more intelligent than yourself, who gives your arguments a fair hearing and then simply persists in his lunacy?

I think Bible principles are principles for life.

Wars based on principle are far more destructive… the attacker will not destroy that which he is after.

The traditional stand adopted by the Cuban Revolution, which was always opposed to any action that could jeopardize the life of civilians, is well known.

But just as they did in Philadelphia when they were writing the constitution, sooner or later, you’ve got to compromise. You’ve got to start making the compromises that arrive at a consensus and move the country forward.

Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using his intelligence; he is just using his memory.

In argument similes are like songs in love; they describe much, but prove nothing.

Politics is a science. You can demonstrate that you are right and that others are wrong.

When we go to the Bible we should keep in mind that the basic principles of the Bible are taught by God, but written down by human beings deprived of modern day knowledge. So there is some fallibility in the writings of the Bible. But the basic principles are applicable to my life and I don’t find any conflict among them.

It seems like when I was growing up there was more compromise, wanting to work with each other, and I think all of them – all of the lawmakers – have hearts to do what’s right, and they all are passionate about it.

The bargain that yields mutual satisfaction is the only one that is apt to be repeated.

Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.

I love argument, I love debate. I don’t expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that’s not their job.

The best argument I know for an immortal life is the existence of a man who deserves one.

Damn your principles! Stick to your party.

Unless both sides win, no agreement can be permanent.

A strong argument for the religion of Christ is this – that offences against Charity are about the only ones which men on their death-beds can be made – not to understand – but to feel – as crime.

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.

My principles are more important than the money or my title.

Fear not those who argue but those who dodge.

The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.

To abandon oneself to principles is really to die – and to die for an impossible love which is the contrary of love.

Our national determination to keep free of foreign wars and foreign entanglements cannot prevent us from feeling deep concern when ideals and principles that we have cherished are challenged.

No party has a monopoly on wisdom. No democracy works without compromise. But when Governor Romney and his allies in Congress tell us we can somehow lower our deficit by spending trillions more on new tax breaks for the wealthy – well, you do the math. I refuse to go along with that. And as long as I’m President, I never will.

There is a fundamental question we all have to face. How are we to live our lives; by what principles and moral values will we be guided and inspired?

You must take the compromise to win, or else nothing. That means: you race or you do not.

Selling out is doing something you don’t really want to do for money. That’s what selling out is.

Principles are guidelines for human conduct that are proven to have enduring, permanent value.

The minute you start compromising for the sake of massaging somebody’s ego, that’s it, game over.

Our strategic dialogue with China can both protect American interests and uphold our principles, provided we are honest about our differences on human rights and other issues and provided we use a mix of targeted incentives and sanctions to narrow these differences.

So act that your principle of action might safely be made a law for the whole world.

In this outward and physical ceremony we attest once again to the inner and spiritual strength of our Nation. As my high school teacher, Miss Julia Coleman, used to say: ‚We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.‘

Stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.

If you’re sick and tired of the politics of cynicism and polls and principles, come and join this campaign.

We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.

Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the manner in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied. Even the interpretation and use of words involves a process of free creation.

To be or not to be is not a question of compromise. Either you be or you don’t be.

By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox.

We just seem to have lost all our morals and principles and values these days.