# Quotes about compromise - Quotes: 25 - Authors: 18 - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise - JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.json ## Quotes > “I’ve made my choice, Sam,” she had written. “I had to choose between what I wanted and what I could get. There are times when the ideal is just too unattainable and when the second best becomes, in the long run, the best. Maybe this also has a universal application. I hope so.” [Richard Wilson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-wilson.md) · [30 Day Wonder](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-wilson/30-day-wonder.md) · p. 153 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-wilson/30-day-wonder/ive-made-my-choice.md) Topics: [choices](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/choices.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > Marriage, each of them realized intuitively, was about compromise and forgiveness. It was about balance, where one person complemented the other. [Nicholas Sparks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nicholas-sparks.md) · [The Choice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nicholas-sparks/the-choice.md) · p. 203 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nicholas-sparks/the-choice/marriage-each-of-them.md) Topics: [marriage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/marriage.md), [forgiveness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/forgiveness.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > "Marriage is about compromise, it's about doing something for the other person, even when you don't want to." [Nicholas Sparks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nicholas-sparks.md) · [The Wedding](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nicholas-sparks/the-wedding.md) · p. 130 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nicholas-sparks/the-wedding/marriage-is-about.md) Topics: [marriage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/marriage.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > A fair bargain leaves both sides unhappy, I've heard it said. [George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Dance with Dragons](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-dance-with-dragons.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-dance-with-dragons/a-fair-bargain.md) Topics: [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > It takes great strength to compromise, Shahar. More than it does to threaten and destroy, since you must fight your own pride as well as the enemy. [N. K. Jemisin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin.md) · [The Kingdom Of Gods](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin/the-kingdom-of-gods.md) · p. 171 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/n-k-jemisin/the-kingdom-of-gods/it-takes-great.md) Topics: [pride](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pride.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > “How old are you, Brian? You ought to know by now that something always breaks up love affairs unless both parties are willing to compromise themselves. And that compromising is harder to do the older and less flexible and more independent you are. It just isn’t in you, Brian. You could no more get married now than you could become a priest, or a sculptor, or a greengrocer.” > > Duffy opened his mouth to voice angry denials, then one corner turned up and he closed it. “Damn you,” he said wryly. “Then why do I want to, half the time?” > > Aurelianus shrugged. “It’s the nature of the species. There’s a part of a man’s mind that can only relax and go to sleep when he’s with a woman, and that part gets tired of always being tensely awake. It gives orders in so loud a voice that it often drowns out the other components. But when the loud one is asleep at last, the others regain control and chart a new course.” He grinned. “No equilibrium is possible. If you don’t want to put up with the constant seesawing, you must either starve the logical components or bind, gag and lock away in a cellar that one insistent one.” > > Duffy grimaced and drank some more brandy. “I’m used to the rocking, and I was never one to get motion-sick,” he said. “I’ll stay on the seesaw.” > > Aurelianus bowed. “You have that option, sir.” [Tim Powers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tim-powers.md) · [The Drawing Of The Dark](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tim-powers/the-drawing-of-the-dark.md) · p. 247 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tim-powers/the-drawing-of-the-dark/how-old-are.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [marriage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/marriage.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > You got to learn to wait people out. Hear what they got to say. Not enough to have a majority rule, y’know. Otherwise, the minority won’t be convinced and they won’t support the plan. No point havin’ people at your elbow who’re against what you’re doin’. So we just got to talk it out Quaker-style till ever’body agrees. More efficient in the long run. [Gregory Benford](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford.md) · [Against Infinity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/against-infinity.md) · p. 179 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/against-infinity/you-got-to-learn.md) Topics: [democracy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/democracy.md), [patience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patience.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > There is nothing wrong with compromising, even if you are compromising almost everything. (p. 175) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jonathan-safran-foer.md) · [Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jonathan-safran-foer/extremely-loud-and-incredibly-close.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jonathan-safran-foer/extremely-loud-and-incredibly-close/there-is-nothing.md) Topics: [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > Accepting the compromise of the way we have been, the way we are, and the way we will likely be... may we live together in unwavering love and good health, amen. [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jonathan-safran-foer.md) · [Everything is Illuminated](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jonathan-safran-foer/everything-is-illuminated.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jonathan-safran-foer/everything-is-illuminated/accepting-the-compromise.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > We brought a man back who should have died long ago. The present can't stand a man like that anymore. Now they want indecision and compromise and reluctance and fear. [Mickey Spillane](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mickey-spillane.md) · [The Snake](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mickey-spillane/the-snake.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mickey-spillane/the-snake/we-brought-a-man.md) Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > “You’re still learning the difference between being an agitator and being a politician. Listen to me, Flora.” He sounded very earnest. “Compromise is not a dirty word.” > > “Maybe it should be,” she answered. [Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [The Great War: Breakthroughs](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/the-great-war-breakthroughs.md) · p. 395 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/the-great-war-breakthroughs/youre-still-learning.md) Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > Any time you could split the difference between what you really wanted and what you would settle for, you weren’t doing too bad. [Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [The Great War: Walk in Hell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/the-great-war-walk-in-hell.md) · p. 174 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/the-great-war-walk-in-hell/any-time-you.md) Topics: [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > “I’m still waiting to hear how I should have compromised. Are you sure that ‘compromise’ and ‘capitulate’ are not synonymous in your vocabulary?” [Fred Hoyle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fred-hoyle.md) · [The Black Cloud](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fred-hoyle/the-black-cloud.md) · p. 69 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fred-hoyle/the-black-cloud/im-still-waiting.md) Topics: [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > Every concession gives rise to further concessions, we cannot back down, because behind us there is only an abyss, we must keep our promises and demand that they be kept. [Václav Havel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/vaclav-havel.md) · [Disturbing the Peace](https://www.leafyquotes.com/vaclav-havel/disturbing-the-peace.md) · p. 110 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/vaclav-havel/disturbing-the-peace/every-concession-gives.md) Topics: [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > "In any compromise between food and poison, it is only death that can win. In any compromise between good and evil, it is only evil that can profit." [Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand.md) · [Atlas Shrugged](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/atlas-shrugged.md) · p. 1054 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/atlas-shrugged/in-any-compromise.md) Topics: [evil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/evil.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > "There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil." [Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand.md) · [Atlas Shrugged](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/atlas-shrugged.md) · p. 1054 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/atlas-shrugged/there-are-two.md) Topics: [evil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/evil.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > The process of changing your mind is a tricky one. You start at Position A, which you hold with stern stubbornness, resolving never to give it up. Then you start to question your original resolution. Is it wise to be so stubborn? Perhaps you should consider alternate ideas. You revise your original inflexibility a little, abandoning Position A and adopting Position B, which is very much like it in most ways, with only a few ifs and maybes added. Then, by a gradual series of compromises, private deals, and shifts of purpose, you slide spinelessly through the alphabet until you arrive at Position Z, the total opposite of your original point of view. [Robert Silverberg](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-silverberg.md) · [The Gate of Worlds](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-silverberg/the-gate-of-worlds.md) · p. 235 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-silverberg/the-gate-of-worlds/the-process-of-changing.md) Topics: [change](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/change.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > Man is an animal, but a social animal. Society for its manifold blessings asks in exchange sacrifice and compromise. Concession is the world's walking gait. Fevers and hallucinations sweep over us, it is true; but be they permitted to infect the public body, slaughter shall result. Government is either organized benevolence or organized madness; its peculiar magnitude permits no shading. [John Hoyer Updike](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hoyer-updike.md) · [Buchanan Dying](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hoyer-updike/buchanan-dying.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hoyer-updike/buchanan-dying/man-is-an-animal.md) Topics: [the state](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-state.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > Halfway isn't all the way, but it's better than no way. [John Hoyer Updike](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hoyer-updike.md) · [Rabbit Redux](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hoyer-updike/rabbit-redux.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hoyer-updike/rabbit-redux/halfway-isnt-all.md) Topics: [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > She was a student of history, valued the lessons of it. The worst atrocities began with half-measures, with apologies, compromising with the wrong side, shrinking from what had to be done. [C. J. Cherryh](https://www.leafyquotes.com/c-j-cherryh.md) · [Downbelow Station](https://www.leafyquotes.com/c-j-cherryh/downbelow-station.md) · p. 192 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/c-j-cherryh/downbelow-station/she-was-a-student.md) Topics: [history](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/history.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > Compromising is condoning. The only modern dictum I follow one by George Santayana: A man is morally free when... he judges the world, and judges other men, with uncompromising sincerity. This is not just an aim but an obligation. [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb.md) · [Antifragile](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/antifragile.md) · p. 16 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/antifragile/compromising-is-condoning.md) Topics: [honesty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/honesty.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > The spread of evil is the symptom of a vacuum. Whenever evil wins, it is only by default: by the moral failure of those who evade the fact that there can be no compromise on basic principles. [Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand.md) · [Capitalism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/capitalism.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/capitalism/the-spread-of-evil.md) Topics: [evil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/evil.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > The three legs of the agreement-tripod are desire, data and doubt. Accuracy and honesty have nothing to do with it. ... Desire brings the participants together. Data sets the limits of their dialogue. Doubt frames their questions. [Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [God Emperor of Dune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/god-emperor-of-dune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/god-emperor-of-dune/the-three-legs.md) Topics: [doubt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/doubt.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > To accept a little death is worse than death itself. [Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [Dune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune/to-accept-a-little.md) Topics: [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md) > Our inner conflicts are caused by these contradictions. Drawn this way by nature and that way by man, compelled to yield to both forces, we make a compromise and reach neither goal. We go through life, struggling and hesitating, and die before we have found peace, useless alike to ourselves and to others. [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/our-inner-conflicts.md) Topics: [compromise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/compromise.md)