A quotation from Teddy Roosevelt

   It is not possible to lay down an inflexible rule as to when compromise is right and when wrong; when it is a sign of the highest statesmanship to temporize, and when it is merely a proof of weakness. Now and then one can stand uncompromisingly for a naked principle and force people up to it. This is always the attractive course; but in certain great crises it may be a very wrong course. Compromise, in the proper sense, merely means agreement; in the proper sense opportunism should merely mean doing the best possible with actual conditions as they exist.
   A compromise which results in a half-step toward evil is all wrong, just as the opportunist who saves himself for the moment by adopting a policy which is fraught with future disaster is all wrong; but no less wrong is the attitude of those who will not come to an agreement through which, or will not follow the course by which, it is alone possible to accomplish practical results for good.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) American politician, statesman, conservationist, writer, US President (1901-1909)
Essay (1900-06), “Latitude and Longitude Among Reformers,” The Century Magazine, Vol. 60, No. 2

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/roosevelt-theodore/1…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #teddyroosevelt #accomplishment #possibility #brightline #compromise #goodandevil #longterm #mutualagreement #necessaryevil #opportunist #practicality #pragmatism #principle #shortterm #temporization

Were you interested in this work on Normative Philosophy and Qualitative Methods but couldnt make it to Durham? Already doing this kind of project elsewhere? Sign up for our research network at groups.google.com/g/qualitativ... Please share widely! #philosophy #qualitative #politics #pragmatism

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:osrdwh6lyrz7muynzkqkzp4f/post/3ll5d7j4mrk2h

Sign in - Google Accounts

A quotation from Teddy Roosevelt

   All men in whose character there is not an element of hardened baseness must admit the need in our public life of those qualities which we somewhat vaguely group together when we speak of “reform,” and all men of sound mind must also admit the need of efficiency.
   There are, of course, men of such low moral type, or of such ingrained cynicism, that they do not believe in the possibility of making anything better, or do not care to see things better. There are also men who are slightly disordered mentally, or who are cursed with a moral twist which makes them champion reforms less from a desire to do good to others than as a kind of tribute to their own righteousness, for the sake of emphasizing their own superiority. From neither of these classes can we get any real help in the unending struggle for righteousness.
   There remains the great body of the people, including the entire body of those through whom the salvation of the people must ultimately be worked out. All these men combine or seek to combine in varying degrees the quality of striving after the ideal, that is, the quality which makes men reformers, and the quality of so striving through practical methods — the quality which makes men efficient. Both qualities are absolutely essential. The absence of either makes the presence of the other worthless or worse.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) American politician, statesman, conservationist, writer, US President (1901-1909)
Essay (1900-06), “Latitude and Longitude Among Reformers,” The Century Magazine, Vol. 60, No. 2

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/roosevelt-theodore/1…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #teddyroosevelt #cynicism #effectiveness #efficiency #idealism #practicality #pragmatism #progress #reform #righteousness #selfinterest #selfrighteousness

The phrase "Buddhist Pragmatism and Extended Family Carefree" evokes a vision of everyday spirituality that is both deeply rooted in practical application and joyfully shared among family members. It suggests embracing Buddhist teachings not as lofty abstractions but as lived experiences that help navigate daily life—especially within the dynamic and interdependent web of an extended family. (AI Generated) #Buddhism #Pragmatism #Modernity #Family #Carefree

A quotation from Teddy Roosevelt

No man is justified in doing evil on the ground of expediency. He is bound to do all the good possible. Yet he must consider the question of expediency, in order that he may do all the good possible, for otherwise he will do none.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) American politician, statesman, conservationist, writer, US President (1901-1909)
Essay (1900-06), “Latitude and Longitude Among Reformers,” The Century Magazine, Vol. 60, No. 2

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/roosevelt-theodore/5…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #accomplishment #evildoing #expediency #necessaryevil #optimization #practicality #pragmatism #wrongdoing

A quotation from Margaret Atwood

When power is scarce, a little of it is tempting.

Margaret Atwood (b. 1939) Canadian writer, literary critic, environmental activist
The Handmaid’s Tale, “Historical Notes” (1986)

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/atwood-margaret/7589…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #betrayal #collaboration #control #kapo #power #pragmatism #survival #temptation #trustee #margaretatwood #handmaidstale