He's a son-of-a-bitch, but he's our son-of-a-bitch.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- This expresses a pragmatic acceptance of an adversary who is still preferable to alternatives.
- In plain terms
- He is difficult, but he is on our side.
- What can you take from it?
- Sometimes you must work with flawed allies if they are better than the opposition.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is compromise with a difficult partner necessary?
- What defines an acceptable ally?
Another view
It can encourage tolerating harmful behavior under the guise of loyalty.
More from Franklin Delano Roosevelt
I think we consider too much the good luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm.
Permalink to quote #25 'I am that kind of conservative because I am that kind of liberal.'
Permalink to quote #27 Are you laboring under the impression that I read these memoranda of yours? I can't even lift them.
Permalink to quote #24
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