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

One cannot really argue with a mathematical theorem.

To me, consensus seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects.

It takes a great deal of character strength to apologize quickly out of one’s heart rather than out of pity. A person must possess himself and have a deep sense of security in fundamental principles and values in order to genuinely apologize.

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

Obey the principles without being bound by them.

Unless both sides win, no agreement can be permanent.

I argue thee that love is life. And life hath immortality.

The irrationality of a thing is no argument against its existence, rather a condition of it.

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

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

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

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.

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

Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them… well, I have others.

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.

A good compromise, a good piece of legislation, is like a good sentence; or a good piece of music. Everybody can recognize it. They say, ‚Huh. It works. It makes sense.‘

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.‘

For me, the essence of the great American Dream is spiritual. I believe that our Constitution is inspired and that it is based on principles that are timeless and universal. This is the reason why 95% of all written constitutions throughout the world are modeled after our Constitution.

You can only have one aim per debate.

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

Important principles may, and must, be inflexible.

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

Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.

Part of the reason that our politics seems so tough right now and facts and science and argument does not seem to be winning the day all the time is because we’re hardwired not to always think clearly when we’re scared. And the country’s scared.

I think business has to be stupider. I want to do really straightforward, stupid business – just talk to me like a 4-year-old. And I refuse to negotiate. I do not negotiate. I can collaborate. But I’m an artist, so as soon as you negotiate, you’re being compromised.

Damn your principles! Stick to your party.

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.

When you have no basis for an argument, abuse the plaintiff.

Silence is argument carried out by other means.

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.

The golden rule is that there are no golden rules.

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

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.

In Vegas, I got into a long argument with the man at the roulette wheel over what I considered to be an odd number.

If you want to influence people, you want them to accept your suggestions, you don’t say, ‚You don’t know how to use the English language,‘ or ‚How could you make that argument?‘ It will be welcomed much more if you have a gentle touch than if you are aggressive.

The very design of neoliberal principles is a direct attack on democracy.

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

No book includes the entire world. It’s limited. And so it doesn’t seem like an aesthetic compromise to have to do that. There’s so much other material to write about.

To compromise simply means that you go a tiny bit below what you know is right.

Principles and rules are intended to provide a thinking man with a frame of reference.

By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox.

I like persons better than principles, and I like persons with no principles better than anything else in the world.

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.

The day-to-day making of policy is arguing all the time. You’re trying to get the right approach and the right answer, and there are moments that aren’t very pleasant. But in the end, you look at the overall product.

Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.

Compromise used to mean that half a loaf was better than no bread. Among modern statesmen it really seems to mean that half a loaf; is better than a whole loaf.

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

Policies are many, Principles are few, Policies will change, Principles never do.

Intolerance betrays want of faith in one’s cause.

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

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

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

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

Only two things are necessary to keep one’s wife happy. One is to let her think she is having her own way, and the other is to let her have it.

We need to have business leaders who live by deep, strong principles.

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.

I think Bible principles are principles for life.

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

I would hear stories about Steve Jobs and feel like he was at 100 percent exactly what he wanted to do, but I’m sure even a Steve Jobs has compromised. Even a Rick Owens has compromised. You know, even a Kanye West has compromised. Sometimes you don’t even know when you’re being compromised till after the fact, and that’s what you regret.

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.