--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Both the liberal and the conservative are…" description: "\"Both the liberal and the conservative are in agreement: it is all very well to let the people alone, but only if they do what you want them to do.\" — B..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/bill-bonner-23956_agreement_both-the-liberal-and-the-conservative-ar_2385849.jpg" --- # Both the liberal and the conservative are in agreement: it… ![“Both the liberal and the conservative are in agreement: it is all very well to let the people alone, but only if they do what you want them to do.” quote by Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/bill-bonner-23956_agreement_both-the-liberal-and-the-conservative-ar_2385849.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/bill-bonner-23956_agreement_both-the-liberal-and-the-conservative-ar_2385849.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/bill-bonner-23956_agreement_both-the-liberal-and-the-conservative-ar_2385849.jpg) > “Both the liberal and the conservative are in agreement: it is all very well to let the people alone, but only if they do what you want them to do.” [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Both sides agree on minimal interference only when it serves their agenda, revealing a pragmatic, self‑serving view of governance. **In simple terms:** People want freedom only if it benefits them. Key Takeaway Question whose interests are truly served. Themes politics power control self‑interest Mood critical skeptical Type political cynical When to use this quote - policy making - public discourse - campaign rhetoric - legislative negotiations Key Concepts realpolitik instrumentalism cynicism Questions to Reflect On - Whose agenda is being prioritized? - Can true liberty exist without hidden motives? A Different Perspective It may ignore genuine ideological convictions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agreement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agreement/) [Conservative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservative/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Liberal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberal/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [What you want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/what-you-want/) ## Related quotes > [People ask me if I'm liberal or conservative. I say neither - I'm pragmatic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-sestak/people-ask-me-if-i-m-liberal-or-conservative-i-say-neither-i-m/) [Joe Sestak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-sestak/) > [A liberal is a conservative whose conscience is on display](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-gioia/a-liberal-is-a-conservative-whose-conscience-is-on-display/) Jerome Gioia > [A liberal conservative is a man who thinks things ought to progress but would rather they remained as they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fitzjames-stephen/a-liberal-conservative-is-a-man-who-thinks-things-ought-to-progress/) [James Fitzjames Stephen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fitzjames-stephen/) > [The African-American community is not monolithic. It's liberal and conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-grier/the-african-american-community-is-not-monolithic-it-s-liberal-and/) [Pam Grier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-grier/) > [Sometimes he even embarrassed the company by phrases suggesting that there was some difference between a Liberal and a Conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-he-even-embarrassed-the-company-by-phrases-suggesting-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Investment in early education is not a Liberal or Conservative idea. Nor should it be decided along party lines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-m-kunin/investment-in-early-education-is-not-a-liberal-or-conservative-idea/) [Madeleine M. Kunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-m-kunin/) > [We don't see ourselves as liberal or conservative. We consider ourselves an outlet that addresses the issues that matter the most to our audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-welteroth/we-don-t-see-ourselves-as-liberal-or-conservative-we-consider/) [Elaine Welteroth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-welteroth/) > [I find labels "liberal" and "conservative" of little meaning. Our language has become perverted along with the thoughts of many of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/i-find-labels-liberal-and-conservative-of-little-meaning-our-language/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [“It's not about being liberal or conservative, it's about being human. It's not about being rich or poor, it's about being alive and happy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-l-syed/it-s-not-about-being-liberal-or-conservative-it-s-about-being-human/) Karen L. Syed > [Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, whether you are a liberal or a conservative, we know that neither this President nor prior Presidents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/whether-you-are-a-democrat-or-republican-whether-you-are-a-liberal-or/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't know how you make a record on liberal and conservative these days. We've had a conservative Republican Congress, so to speak, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-nunn/i-don-t-know-how-you-make-a-record-on-liberal-and-conservative-these/) [Sam Nunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-nunn/) > [I don't have time to put up with the politics. Who's a Democrat? Who's a Republican? Who's liberal? Who's conservative? Man, can my daughter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-barkley/i-don-t-have-time-to-put-up-with-the-politics-who-s-a-democrat-who-s/) [Charles Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-barkley/) > [The fossil fuel industry has made advocating alternative energy sources a liberal/conservative thing, and an ideological battle, when it should really be about a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/the-fossil-fuel-industry-has-made-advocating-alternative-energy/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [ One of the sad things about this political season is that it allows \[requires\] us to get behind our big "Liberal" or "Conservative" banner… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/one-of-the-sad-things-about-this-political-season-is-that-it-allows/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [I reject the idea there are just two sides. I think that with the amount of ideas and thoughts there are, it's not even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/i-reject-the-idea-there-are-just-two-sides-i-think-that-with-the/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) ## More by Bill Bonner > [The economic freedom that made the U.S. economy the leader of the world has given way toa rigged, controlled, and regulated economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/the-economic-freedom-that-made-the-u-s-economy-the-leader-of-the/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [Central planning doesn't work. A little bit of it is a drag. A lot is fatal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/central-planning-doesn-t-work-a-little-bit-of-it-is-a-drag-a-lot-is/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [The US is headed for ruin and revolution. The revolution will almost certainly be put down, violently. But the ruin cannot be stopped.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/the-us-is-headed-for-ruin-and-revolution-the-revolution-will-almost/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [None of the problems that caused the crises in Europe and America have been resolved. They have been delayed and expanded by more debt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/none-of-the-problems-that-caused-the-crises-in-europe-and-america/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [You can forget about recovery. There is no recovery - and there's not going to be any recovery. Recovery is an impossibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/you-can-forget-about-recovery-there-is-no-recovery-and-there-s-not/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [A man's wealth can...also be measured by what he doesn't have and doesn't want. When he wants little, he is a rich man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/a-man-s-wealth-can-also-be-measured-by-what-he-doesn-t-have-and-doesn/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [If you look carefully, almost all Old Money secrets can be traced to a single source: a longer-term outlook.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/if-you-look-carefully-almost-all-old-money-secrets-can-be-traced-to-a/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [People are upset. They know something is wrong. But they don't know what. The real explanation is too complicated. They won't sit still for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/people-are-upset-they-know-something-is-wrong-but-they-don-t-know/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [Norman Rockwell spent his career painting pictures that helped people understand their own feelings...pictures that enriched their own experiences and celebrated their own lives.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/norman-rockwell-spent-his-career-painting-pictures-that-helped-people/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [People do not get what they want or what they expect from the markets; they get what they deserve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/people-do-not-get-what-they-want-or-what-they-expect-from-the-markets/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [That is the problem with age and wisdom—it merely shows you how helpless you are. The wiser you become, the more you learn to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/that-is-the-problem-with-age-and-wisdom-it-merely-shows-you-how/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [If there is one thing that marks families with money in the long term it is this: delayed gratification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/if-there-is-one-thing-that-marks-families-with-money-in-the-long-term/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [Anyone who wants to vote probably shouldn't be allowed to vote. Voting is the first step towards zombification - trying to get something without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/anyone-who-wants-to-vote-probably-shouldn-t-be-allowed-to-vote-voting/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [Remember, government is not an enlightened organization designed to promote public welfare. It is barbaric, uncivilized force…military and police power put to the service…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/remember-government-is-not-an-enlightened-organization-designed-to/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) > [No man bears more responsibility for the present worldwide financial crisis and coming depression than Alan Greenspan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/no-man-bears-more-responsibility-for-the-present-worldwide-financial/) [Bill Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) [Explore all 25 Bill Bonner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/) ## More Agreement quotes > [Therefore, I see whatever exists as good, death is to me like life, sin like holiness, wisdom like foolishness, everything has to be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/therefore-i-see-whatever-exists-as-good-death-is-to-me-like-life-sin/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [There's no way to have a peace agreement unless the mediator or negotiator looks at both sides from an equal basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/there-s-no-way-to-have-a-peace-agreement-unless-the-mediator-or/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Biochemists and biologists who adhere blindly to the Darwinism theory search for results that will be in agreement with their theories and consequently orient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-paul-grasse/biochemists-and-biologists-who-adhere-blindly-to-the-darwinism-theory/) [Pierre-Paul Grasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-paul-grasse/) > [In coming to that agreement, my party had a clear philosophy throughout. In Northern Ireland, we should have institutions that respected the differences of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hume/in-coming-to-that-agreement-my-party-had-a-clear-philosophy/) [John Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hume/) > [Identity is not negotiable. An identity you have achieved by agreement is always a prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/identity-is-not-negotiable-an-identity-you-have-achieved-by-agreement/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [I am formally accountable to the steering board of the PIC, and I meet with nine ambassadors from the PIC every week. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/i-am-formally-accountable-to-the-steering-board-of-the-pic-and-i-meet/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [Because countries often have differing political and economic systems, agreements are needed to protect those invested in trade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/because-countries-often-have-differing-political-and-economic-systems/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [As long as I sit at Henry Clay's desk, I will remember his lifelong desire to forge agreement, but I will also keep close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/as-long-as-i-sit-at-henry-clay-s-desk-i-will-remember-his-lifelong/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [Gaia's main problems are not industrialization, ozone depletion, overpopulation, or resource depletion. Gaia's main problem is the lack of mutual understanding and mutual agreement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wilber/gaia-s-main-problems-are-not-industrialization-ozone-depletion/) [Ken Wilber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wilber/) > [We recognize that NAFTA is a three-country agreement, and we need a three-country negotiation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrystia-freeland/we-recognize-that-nafta-is-a-three-country-agreement-and-we-need-a/) [Chrystia Freeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrystia-freeland/) > [At Ohio State University, to avoid being guilty of 'sexual assault' or 'sexual violence,' you and your partner now apparently have to agree on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/at-ohio-state-university-to-avoid-being-guilty-of-sexual-assault-or/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Whatever you perceive, you always make a story with yourself as the main character, and that dictates your life. Then when you read 'The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/whatever-you-perceive-you-always-make-a-story-with-yourself-as-the/) [Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/) > [ Look at what I am proposing, and we \[wih Bernie Sanders\] have a vigorous agreement here. We both want to reign in the excesses… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/look-at-what-i-am-proposing-and-we-wih-bernie-sanders-have-a-vigorous/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [I spoke on the phone with President Rouhani of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The two of us discussed our ongoing efforts to reach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-spoke-on-the-phone-with-president-rouhani-of-the-islamic-republic/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Netanyahu made all sorts of claims. This was going to be a terrible deal. This was going to result in Iran getting 50 billion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/netanyahu-made-all-sorts-of-claims-this-was-going-to-be-a-terrible/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) [Browse all 1,138 Agreement quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agreement/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Both the liberal and the conservative are in agreement: it is all very well to let the people alone, but only if they do what you want them to do.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bill Bonner" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/both-the-liberal-and-the-conservative-are-in-agreement-it-is-all-very/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Agreement" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/both-the-liberal-and-the-conservative-are-in-agreement-it-is-all-very/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/bill-bonner-23956_agreement_both-the-liberal-and-the-conservative-ar_2385849.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/bill-bonner-23956_agreement_both-the-liberal-and-the-conservative-ar_2385849.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e97/bill-bonner-23956_agreement_both-the-liberal-and-the-conservative-ar_2385849.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Both the liberal and the conservative are in agreement: it is all very well to let the people alone, but…” — Bill Bonner", "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": "Bill Bonner", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bonner/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Both the liberal and the conservative...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/both-the-liberal-and-the-conservative-are-in-agreement-it-is-all-very/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bonner/both-the-liberal-and-the-conservative-are-in-agreement-it-is-all-very/#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 } } ] } ```