Absolute truth Quote by Bill Clinton
““In other words, our constitution was designed by people who were idealistic but not ideological. There's a big difference. You can have a philosophy that tends to be liberal or conservative but still be open to evidence, experience, and argument. That enables people with honest differences to find practical, principled compromise. On the other hand, fervent insistence on an ideology makes evidence, experience, and arguments irrelevant: If you possess the absolute truth, those who disagree are by definition wrong, and evidence of success or failure is irrelevant. There is nothing to learn from the experience of other countries. Respectful arguments are a waste of time. Compromise is weakness. And if your policies fail, you don't abandon them; instead, you double down, asserting that they would have worked if only they had been carried to their logical extreme.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Constitution and Ideology, 2000s (approx.)
A constitution should be built on open-minded idealism, not rigid ideology, allowing evidence‑based compromise.
In simple terms: Ideals should stay flexible, not dogmatic.
Key Takeaway
Seek evidence, stay open, compromise.
Themes
politics
ideology
compromise
evidence
principles
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
inspirational
When to use this quote
- legislative debate
- policy making
- public discourse
- international relations
- education
Key Concepts
liberalism
conservatism
pragmatism
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you find common ground with opponents?
- How does evidence shape your beliefs?
A Different Perspective
Rigid ideology can blind people to truth and learning.
