---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No one is exempt from the call to find…"
description: "\"No one is exempt from the call to find common ground.\" — Barack Obama"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2e/barack-obama-17_common_no-one-is-exempt-from-the-call-to-find-c_3098572.jpg"
---

#  No one is exempt from the call to find common ground.

![“No one is exempt from the call to find common ground.” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2e/barack-obama-17_common_no-one-is-exempt-from-the-call-to-find-c_3098572.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2e/barack-obama-17_common_no-one-is-exempt-from-the-call-to-find-c_3098572.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2e/barack-obama-17_common_no-one-is-exempt-from-the-call-to-find-c_3098572.jpg)

> “No one is exempt from the call to find common ground.”

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Everyone must work together across differences to achieve shared goals, regardless of status.

**In simple terms:** All people must find common ground.

Key Takeaway

Seek shared values to bridge divides.

Themes

unity dialogue politics collaboration

Mood

hopeful determined

Type

political inspirational

When to use this quote

- community meetings
- policy negotiations
- team projects

Key Concepts

civic engagement conflict resolution common good

Questions to Reflect On

- What common values can you identify with opponents?
- How can you foster dialogue in polarized settings?

A Different Perspective

Finding common ground can be hindered by deep-seated biases.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Common ground](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-ground/) [Exempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exempt/) [Exempt Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exempt-common-5359994/) [Ground](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ground/)

## Related quotes

> [I have tried to treat people on the other side civilly and look for common ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-klobuchar/i-have-tried-to-treat-people-on-the-other-side-civilly-and-look-for/)

[Amy Klobuchar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-klobuchar/)

> [Since my first day in Congress, it's been my top priority to find common ground so we can deliver real results for Texans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-allred/since-my-first-day-in-congress-it-s-been-my-top-priority-to-find/)

[Colin Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-allred/)

> [I think it is possible to meet people in the middle, to have a discussion even though you may not agree on solutions, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-judge/i-think-it-is-possible-to-meet-people-in-the-middle-to-have-a/)

[Patty Judge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-judge/)

> [Stories are the common ground that allow people to connect, despite all our defences and all our differences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-forsyth/stories-are-the-common-ground-that-allow-people-to-connect-despite/)

[Kate Forsyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-forsyth/)

> [If someone's personality is 'punch an Asian grandma,' it's not a dialogue. I have an Asian grandma. You want to punch her? There ain't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bowen-yang/if-someone-s-personality-is-punch-an-asian-grandma-it-s-not-a/)

[Bowen Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bowen-yang/)

> [My message to Washington is the United States has gone through incredible crises, and our leaders have been able to find common ground. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-chenault/my-message-to-washington-is-the-united-states-has-gone-through/)

[Kenneth Chenault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-chenault/)

> [Obama was the first president whose biography makes sense to me. He can walk into a room anywhere and find common ground with any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-messud/obama-was-the-first-president-whose-biography-makes-sense-to-me-he/)

[Claire Messud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-messud/)

> [If you have a girlfriend who is a fellow divorcee, you share a lot of common ground because you've been through the same things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tinsley-mortimer/if-you-have-a-girlfriend-who-is-a-fellow-divorcee-you-share-a-lot-of/)

[Tinsley Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tinsley-mortimer/)

> [Hawks and doves have long found common ground opposing the spread of nuclear weapons to non-nuclear states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shellenberger/hawks-and-doves-have-long-found-common-ground-opposing-the-spread-of/)

[Michael Shellenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shellenberger/)

> [Tech companies are distracting, dividing and outraging citizens to the point where there is little basis for common ground. This is a direct threat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/tech-companies-are-distracting-dividing-and-outraging-citizens-to-the/)

[Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/)

> [I've always found that if you listen to people you can find common ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-smith/i-ve-always-found-that-if-you-listen-to-people-you-can-find-common/)

[Tina Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-smith/)

> [Passionately defending one's principles is crucial. Representing your district is fundamental. But refusing to entertain the common ground - with no other cost but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-quigley/passionately-defending-one-s-principles-is-crucial-representing-your/)

[Mike Quigley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-quigley/)

> [A family is too frail a vessel to contain the risks of all the warring impulses expressed when such a group meets on common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/a-family-is-too-frail-a-vessel-to-contain-the-risks-of-all-the/)

[Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/)

> [But when we're helping children understand how people from different walks of life can coexist, prioritizing common ground too often obscures or erases uncommon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meena-harris/but-when-we-re-helping-children-understand-how-people-from-different/)

[Meena Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meena-harris/)

> [I have a lot of reason to believe, as we saw in the 2012 election, most Americans don't agree with the extremists on any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-have-a-lot-of-reason-to-believe-as-we-saw-in-the-2012-election-most/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

## More by Barack Obama

> [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [As opposed to getting into arguments about, well, these folks have been treated fairly so now we're going to be doing things that, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-opposed-to-getting-into-arguments-about-well-these-folks-have-been/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Donald Trump is temperamentally unfit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/donald-trump-is-temperamentally-unfit/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [What we've said to the girls is: 'If you guys ever decide that you're going to get a tattoo, then mommy and me will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/what-we-ve-said-to-the-girls-is-if-you-guys-ever-decide-that-you-re/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Nobody is listening to your telephone calls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/nobody-is-listening-to-your-telephone-calls/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/all-of-us-take-offense-to-anyone-who-reaps-the-rewards-of-living-in/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [The world is complicated and full of grays, but there's still truth there to be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-world-is-complicated-and-full-of-grays-but-there-s-still-truth/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [ That is another theme in the book \[Dreams from My Father\]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams-from-my-father-how-do-we/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [I can say across Europe that many principles that have been taken for granted here around free speech, and around civil liberties and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-can-say-across-europe-that-many-principles-that-have-been-taken-for/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [I want to thank the Greek people publicly for their humanitarian response to the crisis of so many migrants and refugees seeking safety in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-want-to-thank-the-greek-people-publicly-for-their-humanitarian/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [We had a farewell dinner for some of my senior staff, and generally everybody likes to talk about how cool I was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-had-a-farewell-dinner-for-some-of-my-senior-staff-and-generally/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [ It's good to get fresh legs in \[the White house\]. I think that it refreshes our democracy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-s-good-to-get-fresh-legs-in-the-white-house-i-think-that-it/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Believe it or not, entertainment is part of our American diplomacy, it is part of what makes us exceptional, part of what makes us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/believe-it-or-not-entertainment-is-part-of-our-american-diplomacy-it/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

[Explore all 3,624 Barack Obama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

## More Common quotes

> [I'm Fine!, the most common LIE in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/punkinhead-abhishek/i-m-fine-the-most-common-lie-in-the-world/)

[Punkinhead Abhishek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/punkinhead-abhishek/)

> [A flourishing, morally credible media is a vital component in the maintenance of genuinely public talk, argument about common good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/a-flourishing-morally-credible-media-is-a-vital-component-in-the/)

[Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/)

> [We find few historians who have been diligent enough in their search for truth; it is their common method to take on trust what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/we-find-few-historians-who-have-been-diligent-enough-in-their-search/)

[John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/)

> [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/)

[Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/)

> [Our times demand the declaration of the world's resources as the common heritage of all people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/our-times-demand-the-declaration-of-the-world-s-resources-as-the/)

[Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/)

> [ Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a \[Soviet socialistic\] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stalin/neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-national-socialism-have-anything/)

[Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stalin/)

> [When you have a cavity in your tooth and you let it get worse, eventually you have to get a root canal. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-newton-john/when-you-have-a-cavity-in-your-tooth-and-you-let-it-get-worse/)

[Olivia Newton-John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-newton-john/)

> [There is nothing that we can properly call our own but our time, and yet everybody fools us out of it who has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/there-is-nothing-that-we-can-properly-call-our-own-but-our-time-and/)

[Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/)

> [Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/common-sense-is-nothing-more-than-a-deposit-of-prejudices-laid-down/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [A common fallacy in much of the adverse criticism to which science is subjected today is that it claims certainty, infallibility and complete emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/a-common-fallacy-in-much-of-the-adverse-criticism-to-which-science-is/)

[Cyril Norman Hinshelwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/)

> [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/)

[Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/)

> [A time will come when the science of destruction shall bend before the arts of peace; when the genius which multiplies our powers, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-arago/a-time-will-come-when-the-science-of-destruction-shall-bend-before/)

[Francois Arago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-arago/)

> [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [It is a tragedy that we live in a world where physical courage is so common, and moral courage is so rare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/it-is-a-tragedy-that-we-live-in-a-world-where-physical-courage-is-so/)

[Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/)

> [Those who advocate common usage in philosophy sometimes speak in a manner that suggests the mystique of the 'common man.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/those-who-advocate-common-usage-in-philosophy-sometimes-speak-in-a/)

[Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/)

[Browse all 7,866 Common quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "No one is exempt from the call to find common ground.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Barack Obama"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/no-one-is-exempt-from-the-call-to-find-common-ground/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Common"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/no-one-is-exempt-from-the-call-to-find-common-ground/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2e/barack-obama-17_common_no-one-is-exempt-from-the-call-to-find-c_3098572.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2e/barack-obama-17_common_no-one-is-exempt-from-the-call-to-find-c_3098572.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2e/barack-obama-17_common_no-one-is-exempt-from-the-call-to-find-c_3098572.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“No one is exempt from the call to find common ground.” — Barack Obama",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Barack Obama",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "No one is exempt from the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/no-one-is-exempt-from-the-call-to-find-common-ground/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/no-one-is-exempt-from-the-call-to-find-common-ground/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
