With the recent arguing in Washington, we got to thinking about compromise.

Henry Clay (1777-1853), was an American patriot known as the “Great Compromiser.” He served in both chambers of the Congress and in the White House, and knew quite a bit about the necessary and proper workings of American government. Here is his take on compromise:

All legislation, all government, all society is founded upon the principle of mutual concession, politeness, comity, courtesy; upon these everything is based…

Let him who elevates himself above humanity, above its weaknesses, its infirmities, its wants, its necessities, say, if he pleases, ‘I will never compromise;’…

but let (all) who are not above the frailties of our common nature disdain compromises.