To me, consensus seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects. If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing.

Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.

To wear your heart on your sleeve isn't a very good plan; you should wear it inside, where it functions best.

People think that at the top there isn't much room. They tend to think of it as an Everest. My message is that there is tons of room at the top.

A consensus politician is someone who does something that he doesn't believe is right because it keeps people quiet when he does it.

[Alan Cranston] understood power not as a reflection of status but as a tool with a purpose.' - Sen. Joseph Biden December 31, 2000 on Meet the Press

The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use - of how to get men of power to live for the public …