Dangerous Quote by James Madison
“Temporary deviations from fundamental principles are always more or less dangerous. When the first pretext fails, those who become interested in prolonging the evil will rarely be at a loss for other pretexts.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Personal Correspondence, 1815
Compromising core values for convenience leads to further justifications of evil.
In simple terms: Staying true to principles prevents rationalizing wrongdoing.
Key Takeaway
Uphold principles, resist shortcuts.
Themes
ethics
principles
integrity
Mood
cautious
serious
Type
ethical
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- personal decisions
- leadership training
Key Concepts
political theory
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- When is flexibility justified?
- How do you identify true principles?
A Different Perspective
Rigid adherence may hinder pragmatic solutions.
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