Bill Bradley Quotes

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

Climbing has worked for me in a number of ways on Capitol Hill. I'm much more inclined to look at what people do, as opposed to what they say. Also, it's about working together - we're all on the rope together, and you don't get to cut the rope if you're not getting along with someone.

My policy is trust—peace, and to put aside the bayonet

I like Mr. Gorbachev; we can do business together.

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

We've got to take confrontation out of the centre of politics. With fighting, no one wins; with dialogue, everyone wins.

We have to find compromises. That's the way it is in Norway.

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.

What you need to do in conflict resolution is to bring the people who believe that the answer to their political ambitions will be achieved through violence into a frame of mind that they accept that their political ambitions will be delivered by politics.

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

If you look through history, all of the great work we've done in Congress has been around a table of compromise, when it comes to the most difficult problems.

You cannot shake hands with a clinched fist.

Peace itself is not made by documents. Peace is made by good will among men.

The two parties should be turning to each other rather than on each other.

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.

In peace, as there is more time to spare, the leaders are expected to persuade the rank and file, instead of commanding them.

Compromise is the oil that makes government go.

Whoever said “Keep your enemies close” didn’t have many enemies.

Gingrich, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, and Clinton passed legislation because they understood and appreciated the difficult political process. They fought for their principles yet recognized the need for compromise to get anything done.

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.

People ask, 'How do you work with the other side?' Well, I start by not saying bad things about them.

Communication will bring understanding and understanding will cause harmonious mutual relationships which can establish peace and stability.

I think with the right leadership on both sides and the right president, we can get a lot done.