Peter Abelard Quotes

Most controversies would soon be ended, if those engaged in them would first accurately define their terms, and then adhere to their definitions.

We find few disputes, that are not founded on some ambiguity in the expression [thereof].

When men understand what each other mean, they see for the most part, that controversy is either superfluous or hopeless.

The main purpose of dialogue is to come to an agreement on how the two parties can work together, realize their mutual interests, and avoid conflict as much as possible

We should have a great fewer disputes in the world if words were taken for what they are, the signs of our ideas only, and not for things themselves.

There comes a point, in any kind of, whether it's in your family discussions or business or whatever, where you finally have to get over the making of the points and now let's see if we can find common ground.

Compromise works well in this world when you have shared goals.

Soft words and hard arguments.

Hold on. It’s not a fight. It’s a discussion.

Once in a while I can agree with the enemy.

If we are to look only at the words, then we inquire, not what this man meant, but what those words would mean in the mouth of a normal speaker.

Whatever the framers … intended, there is no reason to believe that they possessed the best insights or ultimate wisdom as to the meaning of their words for subsequent generations ... Words do not have fixed meanings.

If we can’t agree on the facts, how can we agree on the solutions?

You need people that are willing to talk to the other side, or you're never going to get anything done. You need to be willing to expand your ground. There's always usually a place on issues where you can find common ground.

Good governance requires working toward common ground. It isn't easy.

We cannot agree on everything but we must agree on the framework.

Compromise for compromise sake is never good, unless it is grounded in principles.

We have to build a political consensus and that requires people to give up a little bit of their own ... in order to create this common ground.

We can find common ground only by moving to higher ground.

We have to build a political consensus and that requires people to give up a little bit of their own turf in order to create this common ground.

If we go on explaining we shall cease to understand one another.

We had an eyeball-to-eyeball agreement at a restaurant before I came back that, if I came back, he would never talk to me that way again or I was simply saying no.

I would love nothing more than compromise. But I would say to you that compromise that's not a solution is a waste of time.

A peace deal requires agreements, and you don't make agreements with your friends, you make agreements with your enemies.

Negotiating in the classic diplomatic sense assumes parties more anxious to agree than to disagree.