Avoiding Quote by James Russell Lowell
“The course of a great statesman resembles that of navigable rivers, avoiding immovable obstacles with noble bends of concession, seeking the broad levels of opinion on which men soonest settle and longest dwell, following and marking the almost imperceptible slopes of national tendency, yet always aiming at direct advances, always recruited from sources nearer heaven, and sometimes bursting open paths of progress and fruitful human commerce through what seem the eternal barriers of both.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Course of a Great Statesman", 1845
A leader must navigate public opinion, avoid rigid obstacles, and pursue gradual, inclusive progress.
In simple terms: Leaders should adapt and seek broad consensus.
Key Takeaway
Adapt and seek consensus for lasting impact.
Themes
leadership
politics
adaptability
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- community organizing
- business strategy
- social activism
Key Concepts
public opinion
incremental reform
Questions to Reflect On
- When is compromise necessary?
- How to balance principle with pragmatism?
A Different Perspective
Compromise can dilute bold reforms.
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