Abraham Quote by Joe Klein
“That was the miracle of Abraham Lincoln, politician. He pursued the high purpose of moving justice forward via the low arts of patronage and patronization. Indeed, in a democracy, it is usually the only way great deeds are done.”
About This Quote
Lincoln used patronage as a pragmatic tool to advance justice, showing that political compromise can be necessary for progress.
In simple terms: Political compromise can help achieve justice.
Consider pragmatic approaches when pursuing reforms.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- legislative negotiation
- social reform
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When is compromise justified?
- What are the risks of using patronage?
Reliance on patronage can risk corruption or favoritism.