--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You say you are conservative—eminently…" description: "\"“You say you are conservative—eminently conservative—while we are revolutionary, destructive, or something of the sort. What is conservatism? Is it not..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/214/joshua-wolf-shenk-20627_quote_you-say-you-are-conservative-eminently-c_865328.jpg" --- # You say you are conservative—eminently conservative—while… ![“You say you are conservative—eminently conservative—while we are revolutionary, destructive, or something of the sort. What is conservatism? Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried? We stick to, contend for, the identical old policy on the point in controversy which…” quote by Joshua Wolf Shenk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/214/joshua-wolf-shenk-20627_quote_you-say-you-are-conservative-eminently-c_865328.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/214/joshua-wolf-shenk-20627_quote_you-say-you-are-conservative-eminently-c_865328.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/214/joshua-wolf-shenk-20627_quote_you-say-you-are-conservative-eminently-c_865328.jpg) > ““You say you are conservative—eminently conservative—while we are revolutionary, destructive, or something of the sort. What is conservatism? Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried? We stick to, contend for, the identical old policy on the point in controversy which was adopted by ‘our fathers who framed the Government under which we live’; while you with one accord reject, and scout, and spit upon that old policy, and insist upon substituting something new.”” [Joshua Wolf Shenk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wolf-shenk/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Conservatism is portrayed as clinging to established traditions, while revolution seeks new ideas, highlighting tension between tradition and change. **In simple terms:** Conservatism sticks to old ways; revolution pushes new ideas. Key Takeaway Recognize when tradition hinders progress. Themes tradition change politics identity conflict Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - policy debates - social movements - organizational reform Key Concepts conservatism revolution ideology Questions to Reflect On - What traditions still serve us? - When should we break from the past? A Different Perspective Revolution can ignore valuable lessons from the past. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conservatism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservatism/) [Conservative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservative/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) ## Related quotes > [“The matter on which I judge people is their willingness, or ability, to handle contradiction. 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I've always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/years-ago-on-my-radio-show-i-used-to-say-i-m-a-conservative-but-i-m/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [Where I live in Manhattan and where I work at ABC, people say conservative the way people say child molester.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stossel/where-i-live-in-manhattan-and-where-i-work-at-abc-people-say/) [John Stossel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stossel/) > [It's much more powerful to say I'm working to reduce spending, deal with our nation's deficit, push back on the federal government, and give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-murkowski/it-s-much-more-powerful-to-say-i-m-working-to-reduce-spending-deal/) [Lisa Murkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-murkowski/) > [I like to say I'm more conservative than Goldwater. 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