Norm Dicks Quotes

Nebraskans have very strong opinions, but we sit down around a table and we solve our problems.

The ability to compromise is not a diplomatic politeness toward a partner but rather taking into account and respecting your partner's legitimate interests.

Through mutual understanding, sincerity and goodwill, and with great wisdom and broad views, the leaders on both sides should jointly initiate new opportunities for peace, stability, cooperation and mutual benefit.

You cannot work with men who won't work with you.

You get nothing done if you don't listen to each other.

My opinion on who's wrong or who's right has nothing to do with the fact that we have to bring together people who are against each other, to transform antagonism into cooperation.

I hope it goes beyond meeting with them to a willingness to listen and compromise on issues.

One thing I learned particularly at Yale was how to work with others. Having studied so long trying to master myself, the biggest challenge was learning about the other person's work.

Our position is that we can sit down and talk to try to solve our problems through dialogue.

We want everybody to act like adults, quit playing games, realize that it's not just my way or the highway.

If you listen, you'll learn. If you talk over each other, you don't accomplish anything.

Boards and myself get along somehow.

Ultimately, peace depends on compromise.

We need a lot more respect in this country for compromise…. There is in compromise a lot of integrity, especially political integrity.

Conflict resolution cannot be merely about eliminating all opposition or reducing the choices in negotiating the problem to two mutually exclusive sets of rights and wrongs. Rather, it must consist of laboring to bring everybody to accept reality and then to project a future with this understanding as the foundation.

if we stop talking at one another, and start talking with one another, we can get a lot done.

You don't promote the cause of peace by talking only to people with whom you agree.

In my mind, a good leader would say, 'OK, I need to sit down and talk to the guys who oppose me. Let me let them voice their opinions; let me get their thought process.'

Legislating is a very human experience in which trust and mutual respect play critical roles.

What I've learned - after working for, I guess, some time now - is when you're approaching a relationship like that, like, any working relationship, it's good to be open. To know that someone might have a different way of doing things and listen to them. And hopefully, you come to a common understanding.

Diplomacy is listening to what the other guy needs. Preserving your own position, but listening to the other guy. You have to develop relationships with other people so when the tough times come, you can work together.

This is what we call smart power. Using every possible tool and partner to advance peace and security. Leaving no one on the sidelines. Showing respect even for one's enemies. Trying to understand, in so far as psychologically possible, empathize with their perspective and point of view. Helping to define the problems, determine the solutions.

Life is about compromise - in relationships and at work.

I'm willing to sit down with anybody and have constructive criticism.

Heck, nobody gets along perfectly. But what we have is respect for one another. We have a system where one guy can veto anything.