Nothing ever gets settled in this town. a seething debating society in which the debate never stops, in which people never give up, including me. And so that's the atmosphere in which you administer.
George P. ShultzRead
He who walks in the middle of the roads gets hit from both sides.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Compromising too much can lead to negative consequences from all sides.
This quote by George P. Shultz emphasizes the idea that attempting to remain neutral or indecisive in situations requiring commitment can invite criticism and harm from all parties involved. It suggests that straddling the fence or avoiding firm stances can leave one vulnerable and without support, underscoring the importance of taking a clear position in life.
Themes
NeutralityDecision-MakingConsequencesCommitmentStandards
In practice
Example use cases
In a team meeting discussing project direction, this quote could encourage members to take a clear stance rather than playing both sides.
More from George P. Shultz
All quotes βIf they are too big to fail, make them smaller.
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The minute you start talking about what you're going to do if you lose, you have lost.
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What we want is scientists who don't become part of the policy discussion: All they do is produce science. If someone becomes an advocate, then I won't pay as much attention to their science.
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I want my grandchildren to be proud of me. That's the main thing.
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Increasingly, the state system has been eroding. Terrorists have exploited this weakness by burrowing into the state system in order to attack it.
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