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About this quote

What does it mean?
A liberal is too open‑minded to take a side in a quarrel.
In plain terms
Liberals may avoid picking a side due to broad openness.
What can you take from it?
Being overly neutral can hinder decisive action.

Where it applies

  • political debate
  • group conflict
  • policy discussion

Putting it to work

  • recognize when a stance is needed
  • balance openness with conviction

Questions to consider

  • When does openness become avoidance?
  • How can you stay open yet decisive?

Another view

Open‑mindedness can also foster compromise.

More from Robert Frost

  1. A jury consists of twelve persons chosen to decide who has the better lawyer.

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  2. A mother takes twenty years to make a man of her boy, and another woman makes a fool of him in twenty minutes.

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  3. A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday... but never remembers her age.

    Permalink to quote #125

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