“There can be no compromise on moral principles.”

— Ayn Rand

Source: The Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism

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Ayn Rand 322

Russian-American novelist and philosopher 1905–1982

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“Whatever be the effect of slavery upon the States where it exists, there can be no doubt that its moral influence upon the North has been most disastrous. It has compelled our politicians into that first fatal compromise with their moral instincts and hereditary principles which makes all consequent ones easy; it has accustomed us to makeshifts instead of statesmanship, to subterfuge instead of policy, to party-platforms for opinions, and to a defiance of the public sentiment of the civilized world for patriotism.”

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“As President, within the limits of basic principles, my motto toward the Congress is communication, conciliation, compromise, and cooperation.”

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Context: I know well the coequal role of the Congress in our constitutional process. I love the House of Representatives. I revere the traditions of the Senate despite my too-short internship in that great body. As President, within the limits of basic principles, my motto toward the Congress is communication, conciliation, compromise, and cooperation.