Dwight D. Eisenhower was once quoted as saying, “The middle of the road is all of the useable surface.” At one far edge and then the other, the track is only apparent to a very few.

As an independent thinker that is learning their way, the useable surface has been the course that I have set for myself with others. A compromise may be necessary to reach a shared value for more than just myself. From compromise, the productive value is generally far greater and much broader in scale on the useable surface.

None of us should compromise integrity. There is no place on the road, nor at the edges of it to secure any real value in this manner. The essence of compromise must be on the useable surface. When the approach or resolution works, it will make great sense to others engaged as well. From a mutual agreement of many, greater and better things will occur.

From compromise, find your place on the useable surface to reach the best outcome. You needn’t always be right, it is better to do the right things with the direction we set ourselves off on with others. In future learning with others, you may evolve to another track closer to your originating thoughts or even further away. You’ve compromised, but likely not forgotten your basis at the onset of the journey toward the greatest of principles.

“I shall argue that strong people, conversely, know when to compromise and that all principles can be compromised to serve a greater principle.” — Andrew Carnegie —

MITM