Dave Van Ronk Quotes

Occasionally, a man must rise above principles.

The hardest thing in life is to know when to hold fast to one’s principles and when it is acceptable to bend them.

Doing the right thing doesn't always bring success. But compromising ethics almost always leads to failure.

I don't think there's anything in the compromise that means that there's a clash of ethics.

The 'morality of compromise' sounds contradictory. Compromise is usually a sign of weakness, or an admission of defeat. Strong men don't compromise, it is said, and principles should never be compromised.

The imperative is to define what is right and do it.

Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what's right.

A portion of mankind take pride in their vices and pursue their purpose; many more waver between doing what is right and complying with what is wrong.

You can’t set aside … values in the name of political expediency.

I would rather be an opportunist and float than go to the bottom with my principles around my neck.

One clings to principles for only as long as they are not put to the test. When that happens one throws them away as the peasant does his slippers.

You can compromise without violating your principles, but it is nearly impossible to compromise when you turn principles into ideology.

Let no one charge me with ever having abused or encouraged weakness or surrendered on matters of principle. But I have said, as I say again, that every trifle must not be dignified into a principle.

If by sticking to the moral principles you have followed all your life, you jeopardize your happiness and that of others, throw over your principles. Principles for principles' sake -that is not wisdom; that is obstinacy. Principles should be fluid because life is fluid.

How long had he been doing what was necessary instead of what was right? In a fair world they would be one and the same.

Sir, what does it matter whom I serve, so long as I am right?

I don't see much use in general slogans. Sometimes it is worth resisting evil with lesser evil, very commonly in fact.

Maybe a man has to sell his soul to get the power to do good.

Some people are pragmatists, taking things as they come and making the best of the choices available. Some people are idealists, standing for principle and refusing to compromise. And some people just act on any whim that enters their heads. I pragmatically turn my whims into principles.

Never stand so high upon a principle that you cannot lower it to suit the circumstances.

Sometimes you have to do what’s wrong in order to do what’s right.

The person who pays an ounce of principle for a pound of popularity gets badly cheated.

Yes, well, principles are sometimes the problem, if you ask me,' said Miles. 'Often what's needed is a bit of common sense.' 'Which is the name people usually give to their prejudices,' rejoined Kay.

The vehemence of my moral indignation surprised me. Was I beginning to have standards and principles, and, oh dear, scruples? What were they, and what would I do with them, and how much were they going to get in my way?

Do whatever you can that doesn't compromise your morals.