--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every problem had a solution; every…" description: "\"“Every problem had a solution; every dispute had a compromise; every ego had a way to be stroked.”\" — Neil Strauss" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/neil-strauss-3035_compromise_every-problem-had-a-solution-every-dispu_846497.png" --- # Every problem had a solution; every dispute had a… ![“Every problem had a solution; every dispute had a compromise; every ego had a way to be stroked.” quote by Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/neil-strauss-3035_compromise_every-problem-had-a-solution-every-dispu_846497.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/neil-strauss-3035_compromise_every-problem-had-a-solution-every-dispu_846497.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/neil-strauss-3035_compromise_every-problem-had-a-solution-every-dispu_846497.png) > ““Every problem had a solution; every dispute had a compromise; every ego had a way to be stroked.”” [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Every issue can be resolved through solution, compromise, or ego‑pleasing, highlighting flexibility in conflict. **In simple terms:** Problems have solutions, disputes have compromises, egos need validation. Key Takeaway Find flexible paths to resolve conflict. Themes conflict resolution ego flexibility Mood thoughtful pragmatic Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - negotiations - teamwork - personal relationships Key Concepts psychology communication Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance ego and compromise? - When is a solution preferable to compromise? A Different Perspective Compromise may not satisfy all parties. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compromise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compromise/) [Compromise Ego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compromise-ego-701694/) [Dispute Compromise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dispute-compromise-701692/) [Negotiation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiation/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Problem solving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-solving/) [Solution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solution/) [Solution Dispute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solution-dispute-701696/) ## Related quotes > [Life is a compromise of what your ego wants to do, what experience tells you to do, and what your nerves let you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-crampton/life-is-a-compromise-of-what-your-ego-wants-to-do-what-experience/) [Bruce Crampton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-crampton/) > [“There are many ways to turn someone to betray their country - money, ideology, compromise and ego work best. If they don't respond to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalid-muhammad/there-are-many-ways-to-turn-someone-to-betray-their-country-money/) [Khalid Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalid-muhammad/) > [“I showed up, shut up, and made it work. But it felt like compromise. And if you ask me, compromise feels like amputation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffany-debartolo/i-showed-up-shut-up-and-made-it-work-but-it-felt-like-compromise-and/) [Tiffany Debartolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffany-debartolo/) > [There is a thin line between peace of the brave and peace of the hostage... between compromise - even calculated risk - and irresponsibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ehud-barak/there-is-a-thin-line-between-peace-of-the-brave-and-peace-of-the/) [Ehud Barak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ehud-barak/) > ["Compromise" means giving up more than the other side is big enough to take; if and when they have the muscle, they'll be back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-knox/compromise-means-giving-up-more-than-the-other-side-is-big-enough-to/) [Neal Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-knox/) > [Marriage is about compromise; it's about doing something for the other person, even when you don't want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/marriage-is-about-compromise-it-s-about-doing-something-for-the-other/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [If you live with a single parent, you don't see compromise. You witness a grown person living in a world where they do what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rock/if-you-live-with-a-single-parent-you-don-t-see-compromise-you-witness/) [Chris Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rock/) > [All compromise is based on give and take, but there can be no give and take on fundamentals. Any compromise on mere fundamentals is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/all-compromise-is-based-on-give-and-take-but-there-can-be-no-give-and/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Compromise, hell! That's what has happened to us all down the line -- and that's the very cause of our woes. If freedom is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-helms/compromise-hell-that-s-what-has-happened-to-us-all-down-the-line-and/) [Jesse Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-helms/) > [As a matter of fact, compromise is what oppression feeds on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/as-a-matter-of-fact-compromise-is-what-oppression-feeds-on/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [As a politician - particularly as a politician in a coalition - you quickly realise that compromise is a part of the game. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-davey/as-a-politician-particularly-as-a-politician-in-a-coalition-you/) [Edward Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-davey/) > [A lasting relationship consists of the 3 C's: Commitment. Communication. Compromise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/a-lasting-relationship-consists-of-the-3-c-s-commitment-communication/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [The human spirit will not invest itself in a compromise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fritz/the-human-spirit-will-not-invest-itself-in-a-compromise/) [Robert Fritz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fritz/) > [“Simple answers, reductionist politics, are the most prone to compromise, to saying we’re addressing the essential issue and all that other stuff can slide.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-allison/simple-answers-reductionist-politics-are-the-most-prone-to-compromise/) [Dorothy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-allison/) > [A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-erhard/a-compromise-is-the-art-of-dividing-a-cake-in-such-a-way-that/) [Ludwig Erhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-erhard/) ## More by Neil Strauss > [“Never underestimate your own capacity to care. “I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/never-underestimate-your-own-capacity-to-care-i/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [Rapport equals trust plus comfort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/rapport-equals-trust-plus-comfort/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [A good organizer is key to anyone with a busy social life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/a-good-organizer-is-key-to-anyone-with-a-busy-social-life/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [“NONVERSATION—noun: a conversation in which one person isn’t paying attention to what the other person is saying, generally due to lack of interest or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/nonversation-noun-a-conversation-in-which-one-person-isn-t-paying/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [You need to be careful with a Bluetooth headset. Because some guys look crazy with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/you-need-to-be-careful-with-a-bluetooth-headset-because-some-guys/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [In life, people tend to wait for good things to come to them. And by waiting, they miss out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/in-life-people-tend-to-wait-for-good-things-to-come-to-them-and-by/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [A lot of guys are very intimidated by an attractive woman, and they dehumanise her because our culture perceives beautiful women as commodities. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/a-lot-of-guys-are-very-intimidated-by-an-attractive-woman-and-they/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [“That's when I started to leave it behind. I realized that I got my entire validation from women. Women became like gods to me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/that-s-when-i-started-to-leave-it-behind-i-realized-that-i-got-my/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [Life is more fun when you open your mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/life-is-more-fun-when-you-open-your-mouth/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [Growing up, I was watched by my parents and strongly critiqued. Instead of saying they loved me or showing physical attention, they would joke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/growing-up-i-was-watched-by-my-parents-and-strongly-critiqued-instead/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [“We never had conversations; we had nonversations, where we just filled empty space with words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/we-never-had-conversations-we-had-nonversations-where-we-just-filled/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [“A man has two primary drives in early adulthood: one toward power, success, and accomplishment; the other toward love, companionship, and sex.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/a-man-has-two-primary-drives-in-early-adulthood-one-toward-power/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [“Among the required reading for all PUAs were books on evolutionary theory: The Red Queen by Matt Ridley, The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/among-the-required-reading-for-all-puas-were-books-on-evolutionary/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [Instead of putting others down, try improving yourself instead. The only person you have a right to compete with is you. In the meantime,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/instead-of-putting-others-down-try-improving-yourself-instead-the/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [“We were all searching outside ourselves for our missing pieces, and we were all looking in the wrong direction. Instead of finding ourselves, we'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/we-were-all-searching-outside-ourselves-for-our-missing-pieces-and-we/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) [Explore all 139 Neil Strauss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) ## More Compromise quotes > [Leaders need to compromise, negotiate with members of both parties and ideologies, and reform health care the right way - by developing a strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-boustany/leaders-need-to-compromise-negotiate-with-members-of-both-parties-and/) [Charles Boustany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-boustany/) > [A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-erhard/a-compromise-is-the-art-of-dividing-a-cake-in-such-a-way-that/) [Ludwig Erhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-erhard/) > [Real love is not based upon romance,candle light,dinner and walk along beach.Infact,It's based on care,compromise,respect and trust..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/real-love-is-not-based-upon-romance-candle-light-dinner-and-walk/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Simple answers, reductionist politics, are the most prone to compromise, to saying we’re addressing the essential issue and all that other stuff can slide.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-allison/simple-answers-reductionist-politics-are-the-most-prone-to-compromise/) [Dorothy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-allison/) > [“I’m not sure sex qualifies as R and R, but it’s a compromise I can live with.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-morgen/i-m-not-sure-sex-qualifies-as-r-and-r-but-it-s-a-compromise-i-can/) [Shelby Morgen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-morgen/) > [You know what the Englishman's idea of compromise is? He says, Some people say there is a God. Some people say there is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/you-know-what-the-englishman-s-idea-of-compromise-is-he-says-some/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [But if you get chronically, psychosocially stressed, you're going to compromise your health. So, essentially, we've evolved to be smart enough to make ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/but-if-you-get-chronically-psychosocially-stressed-you-re-going-to/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [The human spirit will not invest itself in a compromise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fritz/the-human-spirit-will-not-invest-itself-in-a-compromise/) [Robert Fritz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fritz/) > [No relationship is perfect, ever. There are always some ways you have to bend, to compromise, to give something up in order to gain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/no-relationship-is-perfect-ever-there-are-always-some-ways-you-have/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“And what would you like, Sharie?" asked Miss Mush. "What do you have?" asked Sharie. "Potato salad". "What else is there?" asked Sharie. "Nothing"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-sachar/and-what-would-you-like-sharie-asked-miss-mush-what-do-you-have-asked/) [Louis Sachar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-sachar/) > [A lasting relationship consists of the 3 C's: Commitment. Communication. Compromise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/a-lasting-relationship-consists-of-the-3-c-s-commitment-communication/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [As a politician - particularly as a politician in a coalition - you quickly realise that compromise is a part of the game. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-davey/as-a-politician-particularly-as-a-politician-in-a-coalition-you/) [Edward Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-davey/) > [“The fact that I can get away with something is the very reason why I shouldn’t do it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/the-fact-that-i-can-get-away-with-something-is-the-very-reason-why-i/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [There could be some compromise, but I think we have to stick to the provisions of the treaty, and the provisions of the treaty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-santer/there-could-be-some-compromise-but-i-think-we-have-to-stick-to-the/) [Jacques Santer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-santer/) > [Love is not only about romance, candle-lit dinners and walking hand in hand. In fact, real love is about a lifetime of compromise, commitment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aarti-khurana/love-is-not-only-about-romance-candle-lit-dinners-and-walking-hand-in/) [Aarti Khurana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aarti-khurana/) [Browse all 2,076 Compromise quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compromise/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Every problem had a solution; every dispute had a compromise; every ego had a way to be stroked.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Neil Strauss" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/every-problem-had-a-solution-every-dispute-had-a-compromise-every-ego/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compromise" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/every-problem-had-a-solution-every-dispute-had-a-compromise-every-ego/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/neil-strauss-3035_compromise_every-problem-had-a-solution-every-dispu_846497.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/neil-strauss-3035_compromise_every-problem-had-a-solution-every-dispu_846497.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/neil-strauss-3035_compromise_every-problem-had-a-solution-every-dispu_846497.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Every problem had a solution; every dispute had a compromise; every ego had a way to be stroked.” — Neil Strauss", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Neil Strauss", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Every problem had a solution; every...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/every-problem-had-a-solution-every-dispute-had-a-compromise-every-ego/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/every-problem-had-a-solution-every-dispute-had-a-compromise-every-ego/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```