Common Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Experience (has) long taught me the reasonableness of mutual sacrifices of opinion among those who are to act together for any common object, and the expediency of doing what good we can when we cannot do all we would wish”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Correspondence with John Adams, 1785
Mutual compromise is essential when collaborating toward a shared goal, and we should act for the common good even if we cannot achieve all desires.
In simple terms: Compromise and doing good together.
Key Takeaway
Seek common ground, act for shared benefit.
Themes
collaboration
compromise
common good
politics
Mood
reflective
pragmatic
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- team projects
- policy making
- community initiatives
- joint ventures
- negotiations
Key Concepts
social contract
pragmatism
collective action
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance personal convictions with group needs?
- What limits does compromise impose on innovation?
A Different Perspective
Ideal compromise may be hard to reach, leading to suboptimal outcomes.
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![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
