Ludwig von Mises on the importance of principles to the battle of ideas

An ideological struggle cannot be fought successfully with constant concessions to the principles of the enemy. 

~ Ludwig von Mises

Alfred Adler on principles

It is always easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them. 

~ Alfred Adler, Austrian medical doctor, psychotherapist, and founder of the school of individual psychology

Lawrence Reed on open-mindedness

If you dodge and weave to avoid principles so you can claim to have an “open mind,” you’ve simply demonstrated how empty your mind really is.  And perhaps your soul, as well. 

~ Lawrence W. Reed

Groucho Marx on principles

These are my principles. If you don’t like them I have others.

~ Groucho Marx

(Quoted by John Hathaway at the 56:45 mark on The Grant Williams Podcast, October 28, 2020.)

B.C. Forbes on complexity

The man of fixed ingrained principles who has mapped out a straight course, and has the courage and self-control to adhere to it, does not find life complex.  Complexities are all of our own making.

~ B.C. Forbes, publisher

USA Today: Will 2008 be the year of principles?

The great irony is that, after years of consistently refusing to fight on principle, politicians have discovered that they are both unprincipled and unpopular. Now, they are contemplating the unthinkable in Washington: Perhaps they have no choice but to try being principled in order to be popular. Yet, actual (as opposed to advertised) principle cannot be so easily produced in focus groups and political packaging.

~ USA Today, "2008: The year of principles? Cynicism enveloped U.S. politics in 2007, and Americans seem to be tiring of this game. Candidates may be forced to try sincerity in the search for popularity.," January 3, 2008, by Jonathan Turley

Alexander Hamilton on principle

Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Jefferson on principle

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Paine on pursuit of principle

'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.

~ Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine on moderation

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.

~ Thomas Paine

John Quincy Adams on principle

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.

~ John Quincy Adams