--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think that being liberal, in the true…" description: "\"I think that being liberal, in the true sense, is being nondoctrinaire, nondogmatic, noncomitted to a cause but examining each case on its merits. Bein..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c7/walter-cronkite-1759_be-good_i-think-that-being-liberal-in-the-true-s_2041829.jpg" --- # I think that being liberal, in the true sense, is being… ![“I think that being liberal, in the true sense, is being nondoctrinaire, nondogmatic, noncomitted to a cause but examining each case on its merits. Being left of center is another thing; it's a political position. I think most newspapermen by definition have to be liberal; if they're not liberal…” quote by Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c7/walter-cronkite-1759_be-good_i-think-that-being-liberal-in-the-true-s_2041829.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c7/walter-cronkite-1759_be-good_i-think-that-being-liberal-in-the-true-s_2041829.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c7/walter-cronkite-1759_be-good_i-think-that-being-liberal-in-the-true-s_2041829.jpg) > “I think that being liberal, in the true sense, is being nondoctrinaire, nondogmatic, noncomitted to a cause but examining each case on its merits. Being left of center is another thing; it's a political position. I think most newspapermen by definition have to be liberal; if they're not liberal, by my definition of it, then they can hardly be good newspapermen.” [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True liberalism means open‑minded, case‑by‑case evaluation, not rigid ideology; journalism should embody this openness. **In simple terms:** Liberalism is about flexibility, not dogma; journalists should be open. Key Takeaway Encourage nuanced, case‑based thinking in media. Themes journalism political philosophy media ethics liberalism objectivity Mood thoughtful analytical skeptical Type opinion editorial philosophical When to use this quote - newsrooms - editorial meetings - media training - public discourse Key Concepts critical thinking pluralism ideological neutrality Questions to Reflect On - Can journalists truly be neutral? - How to balance openness with editorial stance? A Different Perspective Ideal of non‑partisanship can be unrealistic in polarized environments. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Good news](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-news/) [Liberal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberal/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“I think being a liberal, in the true sense, is being nondoctrinaire, nondogmatic, non-committed to a cause - but examining each case on its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/i-think-being-a-liberal-in-the-true-sense-is-being-nondoctrinaire/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [I have a liberal definition of news because I think news can be what excites people. I'm not very sanctimonious about what news is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-sawyer/i-have-a-liberal-definition-of-news-because-i-think-news-can-be-what/) [Diane Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-sawyer/) > [I'm a liberal arts comedian and the definition of liberal arts is all spheres of human knowledge, coexisting, mixing and influencing each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-conover/i-m-a-liberal-arts-comedian-and-the-definition-of-liberal-arts-is-all/) [Adam Conover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-conover/) > [There's the great line: the definition of a liberal is someone who's afraid to take their own side in a fight. And that's my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-begala/there-s-the-great-line-the-definition-of-a-liberal-is-someone-who-s/) [Paul Begala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-begala/) > [I want to reclaim 'liberal.' I'm a liberal, and I think most Americans are liberals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-franken/i-want-to-reclaim-liberal-i-m-a-liberal-and-i-think-most-americans/) [Al Franken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-franken/) > [ I wonder if it's conservative or liberal \[ inalienable rights idea\], because when we think of liberal thought, when we think about the relation… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/i-wonder-if-it-s-conservative-or-liberal-inalienable-rights-idea/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [That man, I think, has had a liberal education, who has been so trained in youth that his body is the ready servant of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-huxley/that-man-i-think-has-had-a-liberal-education-who-has-been-so-trained/) [Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-huxley/) > [Now whatever you think of the liberal agenda on its merits, until very recently nobody thought the Constitution meant what liberals now say it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-sobran/now-whatever-you-think-of-the-liberal-agenda-on-its-merits-until-very/) [Joseph Sobran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-sobran/) > [I think that this liberal progressive agenda is not the thing that the American people want and it's antithesis to who we are as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/i-think-that-this-liberal-progressive-agenda-is-not-the-thing-that/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [I think if you're a liberal, you believe that we all are, at least to some extent, our brothers' keepers, you really believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-krugman/i-think-if-you-re-a-liberal-you-believe-that-we-all-are-at-least-to/) [Paul Krugman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-krugman/) > [If riches increase, let thy mind hold pace with them; and think it not enough to be liberal, but munificent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-browne/if-riches-increase-let-thy-mind-hold-pace-with-them-and-think-it-not/) [Thomas Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-browne/) > [I think that liberal straight white men really need to stop patting themselves on the back for what they think they think and actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/i-think-that-liberal-straight-white-men-really-need-to-stop-patting/) [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) > [I really think that the Liberal Party is dead and that one will simply have to think of men and policies after the war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hamilton-gordon-1st-marquess-of-aberdeen-and-temair/i-really-think-that-the-liberal-party-is-dead-and-that-one-will/) John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair > [I think liberal art faculties at major universities have views that are not very sound, at least on public policy issues - they may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/i-think-liberal-art-faculties-at-major-universities-have-views-that/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [I think that there's a liberal element out there that finds me not acceptable. They don't like my stance on a lot of issues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-brewer/i-think-that-there-s-a-liberal-element-out-there-that-finds-me-not/) [Jan Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-brewer/) ## More by Walter Cronkite > [I'm a liberal, but I'm not biased. Seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/i-m-a-liberal-but-i-m-not-biased-seriously/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [I've gone from the most trusted man in America to one of the most debated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/i-ve-gone-from-the-most-trusted-man-in-america-to-one-of-the-most/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [I do think that the success, although still not complete... in the recognition of equal rights... to all Americans, regardless of color, creed and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/i-do-think-that-the-success-although-still-not-complete-in-the/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [Be kind to an old man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/be-kind-to-an-old-man/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [I learned early on that in the real world, the masks of tragedy and comedy adorn the proscenium of every life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/i-learned-early-on-that-in-the-real-world-the-masks-of-tragedy-and/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [It is clear that military force and our policy of preemption are alone insufficient to make us safe. But help is on the way.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/it-is-clear-that-military-force-and-our-policy-of-preemption-are/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [In all my years as a news commentator I was never once, able to tell the truth, about anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/in-all-my-years-as-a-news-commentator-i-was-never-once-able-to-tell/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [I think people make way too much of ratings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/i-think-people-make-way-too-much-of-ratings/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [I grew my mustache when I was nineteen in order to look older. I never shaved it off even though it overran its usefulness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/i-grew-my-mustache-when-i-was-nineteen-in-order-to-look-older-i-never/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [I'm so tired of stories starting, 'Maud Jones was walking her dog down Broadway.' You've got to go over to the back page somewhere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/i-m-so-tired-of-stories-starting-maud-jones-was-walking-her-dog-down/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [All through my life, I have never disguised my sentiments about politics in general.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/all-through-my-life-i-have-never-disguised-my-sentiments-about/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [The battle for the airwaves cannot be limited to only those who have the bank accounts to pay for the battle and win it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/the-battle-for-the-airwaves-cannot-be-limited-to-only-those-who-have/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [The successful landing on the moon, very probably, is the best story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/the-successful-landing-on-the-moon-very-probably-is-the-best-story/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [If, as they say, the threat of the hangman's noose has a powerful way of focusing one's attention, the same can be said of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/if-as-they-say-the-threat-of-the-hangman-s-noose-has-a-powerful-way/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) > [We must strengthen the United Nations as a first step toward a World Government, patterned after our Own Government with a legislature, executive and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/we-must-strengthen-the-united-nations-as-a-first-step-toward-a-world/) [Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) [Explore all 210 Walter Cronkite quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/) ## More Be good quotes > [Passion is what you need to be good, an unforgiving passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-easton/passion-is-what-you-need-to-be-good-an-unforgiving-passion/) [David Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-easton/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [Peace is the result of love, and if love were easy we'd all be good at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-mccarthy/peace-is-the-result-of-love-and-if-love-were-easy-we-d-all-be-good-at/) [Colman McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-mccarthy/) > [Therefore, I see whatever exists as good, death is to me like life, sin like holiness, wisdom like foolishness, everything has to be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/therefore-i-see-whatever-exists-as-good-death-is-to-me-like-life-sin/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Most of us want to live in harmony and peace and be good to others. Right now, however, the world is in a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hany-abu-assad/most-of-us-want-to-live-in-harmony-and-peace-and-be-good-to-others/) [Hany Abu-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hany-abu-assad/) > [I've never had any desire to be good. I don't like goodness particularly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanif-kureishi/i-ve-never-had-any-desire-to-be-good-i-don-t-like-goodness/) [Hanif Kureishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanif-kureishi/) > [To become a classical ballerina, you have to move to New York when you're 12 or 11 and that becomes your life. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-garner/to-become-a-classical-ballerina-you-have-to-move-to-new-york-when-you/) [Jennifer Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-garner/) > [The producers felt that 24 would be good for the audience, to really get to know who these 12 and 12 are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-abdul/the-producers-felt-that-24-would-be-good-for-the-audience-to-really/) [Paula Abdul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-abdul/) > [All will concede that in order to have good neighbors, we must also be good neighbors. That applies in every field of human endeavor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/all-will-concede-that-in-order-to-have-good-neighbors-we-must-also-be/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Everybody wants to be good, but not many are prepared to make the sacrifices it takes to be great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-arden/everybody-wants-to-be-good-but-not-many-are-prepared-to-make-the/) [Paul Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-arden/) > [There's such cultural rot taking place, such a disintegration throughout our culture. Values, morality, you name it. Standards have been relaxed, and people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/there-s-such-cultural-rot-taking-place-such-a-disintegration/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [The difference in being good at some thing and being great at something is usually found in the little things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-anderson/the-difference-in-being-good-at-some-thing-and-being-great-at/) Randy Anderson > [It doesn't matter if your lead character is good or bad. He just has to be interesting, and he has to be good at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-chase/it-doesn-t-matter-if-your-lead-character-is-good-or-bad-he-just-has/) [David Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-chase/) > [What's good for the very rich might not be good for anybody but them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/what-s-good-for-the-very-rich-might-not-be-good-for-anybody-but-them/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [“Living in the middle of beauty like this, we've no call to have puny ideas about God. Why do you suppose His world is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/living-in-the-middle-of-beauty-like-this-we-ve-no-call-to-have-puny/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) Browse all 1,747 Be good quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think that being liberal, in the true sense, is being nondoctrinaire, nondogmatic, noncomitted to a cause but examining each case on its merits. Being left of center is another thing; it's a political position. 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