---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Conservation may be a sign of personal…"
description: "\"Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy.\" — Dick Cheney"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/332/dick-cheney-1810_bases_conservation-may-be-a-sign-of-personal-v_1266041.jpg"
---

#  Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it is…

![“Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy.” quote by Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/332/dick-cheney-1810_bases_conservation-may-be-a-sign-of-personal-v_1266041.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/332/dick-cheney-1810_bases_conservation-may-be-a-sign-of-personal-v_1266041.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/332/dick-cheney-1810_bases_conservation-may-be-a-sign-of-personal-v_1266041.jpg)

> “Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy.”

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

## About This Quote

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

Personal virtue in conservation isn’t enough; comprehensive energy policy must balance ethics with practical, systemic solutions.

**In simple terms:** Virtue alone isn’t enough for energy policy.

Key Takeaway

Combine ethics with practical solutions.

Themes

energy policy ethics environmentalism

Mood

analytical forward‑looking

Type

policy environmental

When to use this quote

- legislative drafting
- public debates
- environmental planning

Key Concepts

sustainable development political strategy resource management

Questions to Reflect On

- How can policies balance moral goals with practical needs?
- What systemic changes are required for effective energy strategy?

A Different Perspective

Focusing solely on virtue can ignore economic and technical constraints.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bases/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Comprehensive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comprehensive/) [Comprehensive Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comprehensive-energy-2382750/) [Conservation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservation/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Energy policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy-policy/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Environmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environmental/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Personal Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal-virtue-767599/) [Policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policy/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Sufficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufficient/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Virtue Sufficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue-sufficient-2822113/)

## Related quotes

> [I have a comprehensive energy policy, but it really does include fighting climate change, because I think that is a serious problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-have-a-comprehensive-energy-policy-but-it-really-does-include/)

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

> [Our country has suffered from an on-again, off-again energy policy that has failed to get us to energy independence. As President Obama has said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-salazar/our-country-has-suffered-from-an-on-again-off-again-energy-policy/)

[Ken Salazar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-salazar/)

> [We must have a relentless commitment to producing a meaningful, comprehensive energy package aimed at conservation, alleviating the burden of energy prices on consumers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gillmor/we-must-have-a-relentless-commitment-to-producing-a-meaningful/)

[Paul Gillmor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gillmor/)

> [For far too long, America has been without a comprehensive energy plan, and today consumers are paying the price - literally - at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chocola/for-far-too-long-america-has-been-without-a-comprehensive-energy-plan/)

[Chris Chocola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chocola/)

> [It is critical that we have a comprehensive energy plan to provide affordable and reliable supplies of energy so that our economy will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-burr/it-is-critical-that-we-have-a-comprehensive-energy-plan-to-provide/)

[Richard Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-burr/)

> [A comprehensive national energy policy is critical to our nation's economy and our national security. Energy expenditures account for about 7% percent of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-wilson/a-comprehensive-national-energy-policy-is-critical-to-our-nation-s/)

[Heather Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-wilson/)

> [In 1973, America imported 30 percent of its crude oil needs. Today, that number has doubled to more than 60 percent. Gas prices are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-miller/in-1973-america-imported-30-percent-of-its-crude-oil-needs-today-that/)

[Gary Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-miller/)

> [When a man's knowledge is sufficient to attain, and his virtue is not sufficient to enable him to hold, whatever he may have gained,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-a-man-s-knowledge-is-sufficient-to-attain-and-his-virtue-is-not/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Virtue alone is not sufficient for the exercise of government; laws alone cannot carry themselves into practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mencius/virtue-alone-is-not-sufficient-for-the-exercise-of-government-laws/)

[Mencius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mencius/)

> [Virtue alone is sufficient to make a man great, glorious, and happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/virtue-alone-is-sufficient-to-make-a-man-great-glorious-and-happy/)

[Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/)

> [Nonviolence is not merely a personal virtue. It is also a social virtue to be cultivated like other virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/nonviolence-is-not-merely-a-personal-virtue-it-is-also-a-social/)

[Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/)

> [There is a measure needing courage to adopt and enforce it, which I believe to be of virtue sufficient to redeem the nation in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-dale-owen/there-is-a-measure-needing-courage-to-adopt-and-enforce-it-which-i/)

[Robert Dale Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-dale-owen/)

> [Again, it may be said, that to love justice and equality the people need no great effort of virtue; it is sufficient that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/again-it-may-be-said-that-to-love-justice-and-equality-the-people/)

[Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/)

> [There is no substitute for virtue. Keep your thoughts virtuous. Rise above the filth that's all around you in this world and stand tall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/there-is-no-substitute-for-virtue-keep-your-thoughts-virtuous-rise/)

[Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/)

> [Personal virtue is no substitute for political hard-headedness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/personal-virtue-is-no-substitute-for-political-hard-headedness/)

[Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/)

## More by Dick Cheney

> [A little tough talk in the midst of a campaign or as part of a presidential debate cannot obscure a record of 30 years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/a-little-tough-talk-in-the-midst-of-a-campaign-or-as-part-of-a/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [Senator Kerry says he sees two Americas. It makes the whole thing mutual - America sees two John Kerrys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/senator-kerry-says-he-sees-two-americas-it-makes-the-whole-thing/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [I am a deficit hawk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/i-am-a-deficit-hawk/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [We know he's been absolutely devoted to trying to acquire nuclear weapons, and we believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/we-know-he-s-been-absolutely-devoted-to-trying-to-acquire-nuclear/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [I think the decision that's been made with respect to allowing gays to serve openly in the military is a good one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/i-think-the-decision-that-s-been-made-with-respect-to-allowing-gays/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [ \[In response to the question "Do you think that you underestimated the insurgency's strength?"\] I think so. I guess if I look back on… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/in-response-to-the-question-do-you-think-that-you-underestimated-the/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [Let us rid ourselves of the fiction that low oil prices are somehow good for the United States.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/let-us-rid-ourselves-of-the-fiction-that-low-oil-prices-are-somehow/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [I think we need to significantly reduce the regulatory burden on the private sector. The Obama administration is doing the opposite. They're loading on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/i-think-we-need-to-significantly-reduce-the-regulatory-burden-on-the/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [I'm often asked why I left politics and went to Halliburton and I explain that I reached the point where I was mean-spirited, short-tempered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/i-m-often-asked-why-i-left-politics-and-went-to-halliburton-and-i/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [I do find that the mainstream media oftentimes is what I would consider off base or has a bias.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/i-do-find-that-the-mainstream-media-oftentimes-is-what-i-would/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [I'm one of those people who believes that part of the greatness of the United States is our private sector. It's what we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/i-m-one-of-those-people-who-believes-that-part-of-the-greatness-of/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [I believe that we were not as effective in the second term dealing with this issue of nuclear none proliferation as we had been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/i-believe-that-we-were-not-as-effective-in-the-second-term-dealing/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [Sarah Palin is an attractive candidate, but based on her background, she only was governor for what, two years. I don't think she passed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/sarah-palin-is-an-attractive-candidate-but-based-on-her-background/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [My own belief is that the way we grow the economy, create jobs, create wealth is in the private sector. The government doesn't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/my-own-belief-is-that-the-way-we-grow-the-economy-create-jobs-create/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

> [From our perspective, trying to deal with this continuing campaign of terror, if you will, the war on terror that we're engaged in, this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/from-our-perspective-trying-to-deal-with-this-continuing-campaign-of/)

[Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

[Explore all 207 Dick Cheney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/)

## More Bases quotes

> [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/)

[Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/)

> [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/)

[Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/)

> [I don't want to go into space because of war. I think we would if it was triggered. If China said they want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/i-don-t-want-to-go-into-space-because-of-war-i-think-we-would-if-it/)

[Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/)

> [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [When the Lord Jesus Christ became my surety . . . He went to Calvary's cross, and all my guilt was charged against Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/when-the-lord-jesus-christ-became-my-surety-he-went-to-calvary-s/)

[Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/)

> [I'm in a business where there's complete anarchy. You can't control it - you can only react to it. The control that people traditionally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sorrell/i-m-in-a-business-where-there-s-complete-anarchy-you-can-t-control-it/)

[Martin Sorrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sorrell/)

> [This tendency to avoid problems and the emotional suffering inherent in them is the primary basis of all human mental illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/this-tendency-to-avoid-problems-and-the-emotional-suffering-inherent/)

[Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/)

> [There are dangers in consensus: it could be an attempt to satisfy people holding no particular views about anything. ... No great party can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/there-are-dangers-in-consensus-it-could-be-an-attempt-to-satisfy/)

[Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/)

> [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/)

> [Coercion is the basis of every law in the universe,--human or divine. A law is not law without coercion behind it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/coercion-is-the-basis-of-every-law-in-the-universe-human-or-divine-a/)

[James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/)

> [Each Act of Parliament intended to address harassment and discrimination has faced objections on the basis of 'you'll never be able to prove...' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-field/each-act-of-parliament-intended-to-address-harassment-and/)

[Tim Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-field/)

> [If you want good behavior, don't pay on a commission basis. Our judges aren't paid so much a case. We keep them pretty well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/if-you-want-good-behavior-don-t-pay-on-a-commission-basis-our-judges/)

[Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/)

> [My favorite thing about being a mom is just what a better person it makes you on a daily basis,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-barrymore/my-favorite-thing-about-being-a-mom-is-just-what-a-better-person-it/)

[Drew Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-barrymore/)

> [We have committed ourselves to pursue joint policies, but then national governments say, "We aren't bound by that." That is a dramatic situation, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/we-have-committed-ourselves-to-pursue-joint-policies-but-then/)

[Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/)

[Browse all 2,701 Bases quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bases/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Dick Cheney"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/conservation-may-be-a-sign-of-personal-virtue-but-it-is-not-a/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Bases"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/conservation-may-be-a-sign-of-personal-virtue-but-it-is-not-a/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/332/dick-cheney-1810_bases_conservation-may-be-a-sign-of-personal-v_1266041.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/332/dick-cheney-1810_bases_conservation-may-be-a-sign-of-personal-v_1266041.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/332/dick-cheney-1810_bases_conservation-may-be-a-sign-of-personal-v_1266041.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive…” — Dick Cheney",
                "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": "Dick Cheney",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Conservation may be a sign of...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/conservation-may-be-a-sign-of-personal-virtue-but-it-is-not-a/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/conservation-may-be-a-sign-of-personal-virtue-but-it-is-not-a/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
