--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our strength, in other words, has rested…" description: "\"“Our strength, in other words, has rested in our determination to reject simplistic absolutes and to redefine and revitalize a productive middle ground..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c20/hillary-rodham-clinton-890_middle-ground_our-strength-in-other-words-has-rested-i_130174.jpg" --- # Our strength, in other words, has rested in our… ![“Our strength, in other words, has rested in our determination to reject simplistic absolutes and to redefine and revitalize a productive middle ground, relinquishing outdated solutions and embracing new approaches. As President Lincoln said in his time, 'The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate…” quote by Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c20/hillary-rodham-clinton-890_middle-ground_our-strength-in-other-words-has-rested-i_130174.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c20/hillary-rodham-clinton-890_middle-ground_our-strength-in-other-words-has-rested-i_130174.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c20/hillary-rodham-clinton-890_middle-ground_our-strength-in-other-words-has-rested-i_130174.jpg) > ““Our strength, in other words, has rested in our determination to reject simplistic absolutes and to redefine and revitalize a productive middle ground, relinquishing outdated solutions and embracing new approaches. As President Lincoln said in his time, 'The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.”” [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We must reject simplistic solutions, embrace nuanced middle grounds, and adapt ideas to meet complex modern challenges. **In simple terms:** Reject simple absolutes; seek nuanced solutions. Key Takeaway Adopt flexible, innovative thinking. Themes adaptability nuance leadership Mood determined optimistic Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - organizational change - crisis response Key Concepts complex problem solving innovation Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance simplicity and complexity? - When is a radical change needed? A Different Perspective Middle ground can be vague. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Act Anew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/act-anew-1494744/) [Lincoln Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lincoln-said-605516/) [Middle ground](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-ground/) [New approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-approach/) [New Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-think-1494743/) [President lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president-lincoln/) [Relinquishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relinquishing/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) [Think Anew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-anew-1494742/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-our-case-is-new-so-we-must-think-anew-and-act-anew/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [As our case is new, we must think and act anew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-our-case-is-new-we-must-think-and-act-anew/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-dogmas-of-the-quiet-past-are-inadequate-to-the-stormy-present-the-3/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-dogmas-of-the-quiet-past-are-inadequate-to-the-stormy-present-the-2/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [It was the hubris of each generation to think this anew, to think that their time was special, that all things would come to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-howey/it-was-the-hubris-of-each-generation-to-think-this-anew-to-think-that/) [Hugh Howey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-howey/) > [The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-dogmas-of-the-quiet-past-are-inadequate-to-the-stormy-present-the-4/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [What the world is saying to us human beings is, 'Don't stick to the old ways, learn to think anew.' And that's what musicians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-barenboim/what-the-world-is-saying-to-us-human-beings-is-don-t-stick-to-the-old/) [Daniel Barenboim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-barenboim/) > [I found someone new...but I still think bout you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-found-someone-new-but-i-still-think-bout-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Google before you tweet is the new think before you speak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-rogers/google-before-you-tweet-is-the-new-think-before-you-speak/) [Sydney Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-rogers/) > [People are very hungry for something new. I think they are interested in being called to be a part of something larger than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/people-are-very-hungry-for-something-new-i-think-they-are-interested/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We try to think new, think big but someone whom we share our thoughts with makes us believe that we were living in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-try-to-think-new-think-big-but-someone-whom-we-share-our-thoughts/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Change is the essence of life; it makes you think anew.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haresh-sippy/change-is-the-essence-of-life-it-makes-you-think-anew/) [Haresh Sippy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haresh-sippy/) > [I had discovered long ago the first lesson of political courage: to think anew. I had then learned the second: to be prepared to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/i-had-discovered-long-ago-the-first-lesson-of-political-courage-to/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) > [Strong communities ... embrace change. New discoveries require us to think differently and approach things differently, to think anew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/strong-communities-embrace-change-new-discoveries-require-us-to-think/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [No leader or organization can achieve breakout growth until it treats, "we've always done it this way" as an opportunity to think anew rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/no-leader-or-organization-can-achieve-breakout-growth-until-it-treats/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) ## More by Hillary Rodham Clinton > [“Putin has positioned himself as the leader of an authoritarian, xenophobic international movement that wants to expel immigrants, break up the European Union, weaken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/putin-has-positioned-himself-as-the-leader-of-an-authoritarian/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“It’s true, though, that we struggled to stay on message. My advisors had to deal with a candidate—me—who often wanted something new to say,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/it-s-true-though-that-we-struggled-to-stay-on-message-my-advisors-had/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“He reminded me to focus on the “trendlines,” not just the headlines, and to relish the experiences.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/he-reminded-me-to-focus-on-the-trendlines-not-just-the-headlines-and/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“Democrats should reevaluate a lot of our assumptions about which policies are politically viable. These trends make universal programs even more appealing than we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/democrats-should-reevaluate-a-lot-of-our-assumptions-about-which/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“You Can't Keep Wild Animal In Your Back Yard And Expect It To Go only After Your Neighbor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/you-can-t-keep-wild-animal-in-your-back-yard-and-expect-it-to-go-only/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“In people’s lives and worldviews, concerns about economics, race, gender, class, and culture all blend together.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/in-people-s-lives-and-worldviews-concerns-about-economics-race-gender/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“if you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/if-you-want-to-go-quickly-go-alone-if-you-want-to-go-far-go-together/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“On her very first day, when she politely raised questions about Bernie’s health care plan—she has a master’s degree in public health and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/on-her-very-first-day-when-she-politely-raised-questions-about-bernie/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“Too many saw the world in zero-sum terms, believing that gains made by fellow Americans they viewed as “other”—people of color, immigrants, women, LGBT…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/too-many-saw-the-world-in-zero-sum-terms-believing-that-gains-made-by/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“Usually when I meet people who are frustrated and angry, my instinctive response is to talk about how we can fix things. That’s why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/usually-when-i-meet-people-who-are-frustrated-and-angry-my/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“In the words of Secretary Clinton, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance in the world to pursue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/in-the-words-of-secretary-clinton-never-doubt-that-you-are-valuable/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“To quote Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in the U.S. Cabinet, under FDR, “The accusation that I’m a woman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/to-quote-secretary-of-labor-frances-perkins-the-first-woman-to-serve/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“While there are few problems in today’s world that the United States can solve alone, there are even fewer that can be solved without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/while-there-are-few-problems-in-today-s-world-that-the-united-states/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“if he knows that the Donald J. Trump Foundation is little more than a personal piggy bank, he’ll turn around and accuse, with no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/if-he-knows-that-the-donald-j-trump-foundation-is-little-more-than-a/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [“One of the most important but least recognized facts in American politics is that Republicans tend to win in places where more people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/one-of-the-most-important-but-least-recognized-facts-in-american/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) [Explore all 336 Hillary Rodham Clinton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) ## More Middle ground quotes > [Rapping and singing are not two polar opposites. There's so much middle ground. And I think there's a lot of people who find that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-koenig/rapping-and-singing-are-not-two-polar-opposites-there-s-so-much/) [Ezra Koenig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-koenig/) > [You can have information and ease of use and have artistic integrity at the same time. The art of being a good Web designer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-davidson/you-can-have-information-and-ease-of-use-and-have-artistic-integrity/) [Mike Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-davidson/) > [“There’s a big middle ground between pedestal and porn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-harlow/there-s-a-big-middle-ground-between-pedestal-and-porn/) [Melanie Harlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-harlow/) > [“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/when-you-play-the-game-of-thrones-you-win-or-you-die-there-is-no/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [People feel removed from sexism. 'I'm not a sexist, but I'm not a feminist.' They think there's this fuzzy middle ground. There's no fuzzy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/people-feel-removed-from-sexism-i-m-not-a-sexist-but-i-m-not-a/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [There is a middle ground in things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/there-is-a-middle-ground-in-things/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [It's important as a team that you don't get too excited with a win and you don't get too disappointed with a loss. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haskell/it-s-important-as-a-team-that-you-don-t-get-too-excited-with-a-win/) [James Haskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haskell/) > [Follow your bliss. That which you love you must spend your life doing, as passionately and as perfectly as your heart, mind and instincts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lois/follow-your-bliss-that-which-you-love-you-must-spend-your-life-doing/) [George Lois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lois/) > [..remember that under our institutions there was no middle ground for the negro race between slavery and equal citizenship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/remember-that-under-our-institutions-there-was-no-middle-ground-for/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [“He has read whole volumes on the philosophy of nonviolence. How peace had to be understood in all its moral dimensions. The proper coexistence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colum-mccann/he-has-read-whole-volumes-on-the-philosophy-of-nonviolence-how-peace/) [Colum McCann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colum-mccann/) > [To be able to impress, you have to get to this middle ground where you're not too advanced so it goes over people's heads,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dj-quik/to-be-able-to-impress-you-have-to-get-to-this-middle-ground-where-you/) [DJ Quik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dj-quik/) > [“If you want to be in love, you have to accept that you run the risk of having your heart broken in such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-mason/if-you-want-to-be-in-love-you-have-to-accept-that-you-run-the-risk-of/) [Carol Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-mason/) > [ “\[he\] had learned how to force his mood, to keep himself in the middle ground, neither manic nor hopeless. He seemed a bit lighter… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brandon/he-had-learned-how-to-force-his-mood-to-keep-himself-in-the-middle/) [John Brandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brandon/) > [If everyone's happy, then I'm the character where when I enter that means there's trouble. In a movie, when I enter, it's not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-crews/if-everyone-s-happy-then-i-m-the-character-where-when-i-enter-that/) [Terry Crews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-crews/) > [I never liked the middle ground-the most boring place in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-berliawsky-nevelson/i-never-liked-the-middle-ground-the-most-boring-place-in-the-world/) [Louise Berliawsky Nevelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-berliawsky-nevelson/) [Browse all 200 Middle ground quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-ground/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Our strength, in other words, has rested in our determination to reject simplistic absolutes and to redefine and revitalize a productive middle ground, relinquishing outdated solutions and embracing new approaches. 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