"Experience having long taught me the reasonableness..." - Quote by Thomas Jefferson
Experience having long taught me the reasonableness of mutual sacrifices of opinion among those who are to act together for any common object, and the expediency of doing what good we can; when we cannot do all we would wish.
More by Thomas Jefferson
“I am sorry they began their deliberations by so abominable a precedent as that of tying up the tongues of their members. Nothing can justify this example but the innocence of their intentions and ignorance of the value of public discussions. I have no doubt that all their other measures will be good and wise. It is really an assembly of demigods.”
“The benefit of even limited monopolies is too doubtful, to be opposed to that of their general suppression.”
“It behooves our citizens to be on their guard, to be firm in their principles, and full of confidence in themselves. We are able to preserve our self-government if we will but think so.”
More on Compromise
“In the course of a healthy debate, we prioritize different goals, and the different means of reaching them. But without some common baseline of facts, without a willingness to admit new information and concede that your opponent might be making a fair point, and that science and reason matter - then we're going to keep talking past each other, and we'll make common ground and compromise impossible.”
“We want everybody to act like adults, quit playing games, realize that it's not just my way or the highway.”
“Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.”
More on Wisdom
“Learn to bend. It's better than breaking.”
“Go wisely and slowly. Those who rush stumble and fall.”
“Education is a process that goes on 'til death. The moment you see someone who knows she has found the one true way, and can call all the others false, then you know you're in the company of an ignoramus.”