---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No one pursuing reasonable goals and who…"
description: "\"No one pursuing reasonable goals and who is prepared to compromise can argue that terrorism is his or his group's only option.\" — Richard N. Haass"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/richard-n-haass-3803_compromise_no-one-pursuing-reasonable-goals-and-who_202607.jpg"
---

#  No one pursuing reasonable goals and who is prepared to…

![“No one pursuing reasonable goals and who is prepared to compromise can argue that terrorism is his or his group's only option.” quote by Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/richard-n-haass-3803_compromise_no-one-pursuing-reasonable-goals-and-who_202607.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/richard-n-haass-3803_compromise_no-one-pursuing-reasonable-goals-and-who_202607.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/richard-n-haass-3803_compromise_no-one-pursuing-reasonable-goals-and-who_202607.jpg)

> “No one pursuing reasonable goals and who is prepared to compromise can argue that terrorism is his or his group's only option.”

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Reasonable goals and willingness to compromise reduce the perceived necessity of terrorism as a sole option.

**In simple terms:** Compromise and realistic aims limit extremist choices.

Key Takeaway

Seek compromise, avoid extremism.

Themes

politics conflict resolution ethics

Mood

concerned hopeful

Type

analytical persuasive

When to use this quote

- policy making
- diplomacy
- community building
- conflict mediation

Key Concepts

terrorism negotiation rational choice

Questions to Reflect On

- What compromises could make a group feel heard?
- How can societies encourage realistic goal setting?

A Different Perspective

Even with compromise, some may still view violence as effective.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Compromise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compromise/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Terrorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrorism/)

## Related quotes

> [If you set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/if-you-set-out-to-be-liked-you-would-be-prepared-to-compromise-on/)

[Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/)

> [If you want to bring an end to long-standing conflict, you have to be prepared to compromise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/if-you-want-to-bring-an-end-to-long-standing-conflict-you-have-to-be-2/)

[Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/)

> [If you want to bring an end to long-standing conflict, you have to be prepared to compromise. If either or both sides insist on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/if-you-want-to-bring-an-end-to-long-standing-conflict-you-have-to-be/)

[Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/)

> [“If you just set out to be liked, you will be prepared to compromise on anything at anytime, and would achieve nothing. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/if-you-just-set-out-to-be-liked-you-will-be-prepared-to-compromise-on/)

[Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/)

> [Israel is prepared for a compromise. The majority of Israelis understand this compromise will be serious, will be meaningful, and will be painful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ehud-olmert/israel-is-prepared-for-a-compromise-the-majority-of-israelis/)

[Ehud Olmert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ehud-olmert/)

> [Terrorists and terrorism cannot be eliminated any more than we can rid the world of disease. There will always be those who will resort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/terrorists-and-terrorism-cannot-be-eliminated-any-more-than-we-can/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [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/)

> [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/)

> [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/)

> [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/)

> [“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

> [“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/)

> [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/)

> [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

> [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/)

## More by Richard N. Haass

> [Terrorists and terrorism cannot be eliminated any more than we can rid the world of disease. There will always be those who will resort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/terrorists-and-terrorism-cannot-be-eliminated-any-more-than-we-can/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [There is no way to know for certain what accounts for North Korean decisionmaking, given how closed a country it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/there-is-no-way-to-know-for-certain-what-accounts-for-north-korean/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [Security is the absolute precondition for sustainable recovery from conflict; without it, people cannot rebuild their country or return to school or work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/security-is-the-absolute-precondition-for-sustainable-recovery-from/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [When great powers fade, as they inevitably must, it's normally for one of two reasons. Some powers exhaust themselves through overreach abroad, underinvestment at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/when-great-powers-fade-as-they-inevitably-must-it-s-normally-for-one/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [Americans never would alter the way entitlement programs are funded or education administered without serious study and widespread debate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/americans-never-would-alter-the-way-entitlement-programs-are-funded/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [Sovereignty must be redefined if states are to cope with globalisation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/sovereignty-must-be-redefined-if-states-are-to-cope-with-globalisation/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [America's armed forces are an essential background to much of what the U.S. accomplishes internationally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/america-s-armed-forces-are-an-essential-background-to-much-of-what/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [No amount of sanctioning will persuade North Korea to give up nuclear weapons, nor will China step up and solve the problem for us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/no-amount-of-sanctioning-will-persuade-north-korea-to-give-up-nuclear/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [Weapons of mass destruction - nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons - are just that, and no cause can excuse their use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/weapons-of-mass-destruction-nuclear-biological-and-chemical-weapons/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [The rise of populism is in part a response to stagnating incomes and job loss, owing mostly to new technologies but widely attributed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/the-rise-of-populism-is-in-part-a-response-to-stagnating-incomes-and/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [We all have some basic obligation to one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/we-all-have-some-basic-obligation-to-one-another/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [What countries must do to join the World Trade Organization is precisely what they must do to become productive and democratic: accept the rule…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/what-countries-must-do-to-join-the-world-trade-organization-is/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [I believe in diplomacy; I don't believe in talking to... that talking to Iran somehow constitutes a concession or a favour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/i-believe-in-diplomacy-i-don-t-believe-in-talking-to-that-talking-to/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [I've worked for four presidents, and I've concluded that almost nothing is inevitable. History is to a significant extent the result of the interaction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/i-ve-worked-for-four-presidents-and-i-ve-concluded-that-almost/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

> [Any time you use military force, you have got to have a clear purpose that military forces can achieve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/any-time-you-use-military-force-you-have-got-to-have-a-clear-purpose/)

[Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

[Explore all 121 Richard N. Haass quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/)

## 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

> [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

> [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": "No one pursuing reasonable goals and who is prepared to compromise can argue that terrorism is his or his group's only option.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Richard N. Haass"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/no-one-pursuing-reasonable-goals-and-who-is-prepared-to-compromise/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Compromise"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/no-one-pursuing-reasonable-goals-and-who-is-prepared-to-compromise/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/richard-n-haass-3803_compromise_no-one-pursuing-reasonable-goals-and-who_202607.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/richard-n-haass-3803_compromise_no-one-pursuing-reasonable-goals-and-who_202607.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/richard-n-haass-3803_compromise_no-one-pursuing-reasonable-goals-and-who_202607.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“No one pursuing reasonable goals and who is prepared to compromise can argue that terrorism is his or his…” — Richard N. Haass",
                "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": "Richard N. Haass",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "No one pursuing reasonable goals and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/no-one-pursuing-reasonable-goals-and-who-is-prepared-to-compromise/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/no-one-pursuing-reasonable-goals-and-who-is-prepared-to-compromise/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```