--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Compromise, n. Such an adjustment of…" description: "\"Compromise, n. Such an adjustment of conflicting interests as gives each adversary the satisfaction of thinking he has got what he ought not to have, a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/ambrose-bierce-140_adjustment_compromise-n-such-an-adjustment-of-confl_3101359.jpg" --- # Compromise, n. Such an adjustment of conflicting interests… ![“Compromise, n. Such an adjustment of conflicting interests as gives each adversary the satisfaction of thinking he has got what he ought not to have, and is deprived of nothing except what was justly his due.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/ambrose-bierce-140_adjustment_compromise-n-such-an-adjustment-of-confl_3101359.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/ambrose-bierce-140_adjustment_compromise-n-such-an-adjustment-of-confl_3101359.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/ambrose-bierce-140_adjustment_compromise-n-such-an-adjustment-of-confl_3101359.jpg) > “Compromise, n. Such an adjustment of conflicting interests as gives each adversary the satisfaction of thinking he has got what he ought not to have, and is deprived of nothing except what was justly his due.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Compromise is described as a mutual concession that leaves each party feeling they have gained something they shouldn't, while losing nothing truly theirs. **In simple terms:** Compromise feels like a false win for both sides. Key Takeaway Question compromise motives. Themes compromise conflict resolution self-deception Mood skeptical analytical Type critical philosophical When to use this quote - business deals - political agreements - personal relationships - legal settlements Key Concepts ethics psychology negotiation Questions to Reflect On - Is compromise always a loss? - When is compromise beneficial? A Different Perspective Compromise may still involve real loss or unfairness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compromise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compromise/) [Negotiation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiation/) [Satisfaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfaction/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“The rest of the population ought to be deprived of any form of organization, because organization just causes trouble. People have to be atomized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-rest-of-the-population-ought-to-be-deprived-of-any-form-of/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [We are (most of us) embedded in an exceedingly complex network of social relationships, many of which are vital to our well-being. Every day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-corning/we-are-most-of-us-embedded-in-an-exceedingly-complex-network-of/) Peter Corning > [The condition of our survival in any but the meagerest existence is our willingness to accommodate ourselves to the conflicting interests of others, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/learned-hand/the-condition-of-our-survival-in-any-but-the-meagerest-existence-is/) [Learned Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/learned-hand/) > [Competition, founded upon the conflicting interests of individuals, is in reality far less productive of wealth and enterprise than co-operation, involving though it does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-hugh-benson/competition-founded-upon-the-conflicting-interests-of-individuals-is/) [Robert Hugh Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-hugh-benson/) > [The play of conflicting interests in a framework of shared purposes is the drama of a free society. It is a robust exercise, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-w-gardner/the-play-of-conflicting-interests-in-a-framework-of-shared-purposes/) [John W. Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-w-gardner/) > [On abortion: We are talking about ambiguous issues of a complicated kind where you have to balance conflicting interests and concerns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/on-abortion-we-are-talking-about-ambiguous-issues-of-a-complicated/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [War is the admission of defeat in the face of conflicting interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germaine-greer/war-is-the-admission-of-defeat-in-the-face-of-conflicting-interests-2/) [Germaine Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germaine-greer/) > [“No social legislation can ever be final. 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Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Adjustment quotes > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. 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You learn from your mistakes, make adjustments and continue pressing forward until you achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/success-comes-from-repeated-efforts-day-in-and-day-out-you-learn-from/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [If your plan isn't working, adjust your plan. Never give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-martin/if-your-plan-isn-t-working-adjust-your-plan-never-give-up/) Matt Martin > [I think I'm constantly in a state of adjustment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-think-i-m-constantly-in-a-state-of-adjustment/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [The terror of the atom age is not the violence of the new power but the speed of man's adjustment to it, the speed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-b-white/the-terror-of-the-atom-age-is-not-the-violence-of-the-new-power-but/) [E. B. 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