Flexible Principles Quotes

Not men but measures"—a sort of charm by which many people get loose from every honorable engagement.

It is right that we should stand by and act on our principles; but not right to hold them in obstinate blindness, or retain them when proved to be erroneous.

Like all born politicians, their eye was for the main chance rather than for the argument, and they found it easier to forswear a conviction than to forego a comfort.

A policy is a temporary creed liable to be changed, but while it holds good it has got to be pursued with apostolic zeal.

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others.

There are no absolute rules of conduct, either in peace or war. Everything depends on circumstances.

The English never draw a line without blurring it.

Living in the present moment means living according to truth and principle (but not according to hard rigid dogma) flexibly applied in the particular way required by the immediate situation in which you are. Such a way of living leaves you free, not ruled tyrannically by imposed regulations which may not at all suit the particular case.