From compromise and things half done, Keep me with stern and stubborn pride; And when at read more

From compromise and things half done, Keep me with stern and stubborn pride; And when at last the fight is won, God, keep me still unsatisfied.

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

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.

The 'morality of compromise' sounds contradictory. Compromise is usually a sign of weakness, or an admission of defeat. Strong men read more

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.

Compromise makes a good umbrella, but a poor roof; it is temporary expedient, often wise in party politics, almost sure read more

Compromise makes a good umbrella, but a poor roof; it is temporary expedient, often wise in party politics, almost sure to be unwise in statesmanship.

Compromise, if not the spice of life, is its solidity. It is what makes nations great and marriages happy.

Compromise, if not the spice of life, is its solidity. It is what makes nations great and marriages happy.

Compromise is but the sacrifice of one right or good in the hope of retaining another--too often ending in the read more

Compromise is but the sacrifice of one right or good in the hope of retaining another--too often ending in the loss of both.

The compromise will always be more expensive than either of the suggestions it is compromising.

The compromise will always be more expensive than either of the suggestions it is compromising.

If you are not very clever, you should be conciliatory.

If you are not very clever, you should be conciliatory.

Real life is, to most men, a long second-best, a perpetual compromise between the ideal and the possible but the read more

Real life is, to most men, a long second-best, a perpetual compromise between the ideal and the possible but the world of pure reason knows no compromise, no practical limitations, no barrier to the creative activity.