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If you want to accomplish something in the world, idealism is not enough - you need to choose a method that works to achieve the goal.

The acceptance of certain realities doesn't preclude idealism. It can lead to certain breakthroughs.

Idealism is no good. Any concrete dedication to an abstract condition results in unpleasant things like wars.

It's impossible to consider living without ideals. However, when ideas lead to ideology, that's a very dangerous thing. Ideology then leads to creating the image of an enemy, and it leads to the murder and massacre that we've seen since the beginning of time.

Ideals are the world's masters.

Sometimes idealism and all that make believe makes the world a better place.

You see, idealism detached from action is just a dream. But idealism allied with pragmatism, with rolling up your sleeves and making the world bend a bit, is very exciting. It's very real. It's very strong.

An idealist is ahead of his time only in the sense that he is articulate. The same is true of a nation. For even primitive people, even effete races have a message for those above or below them. The heritage of the Ideal, however small can not be exhausted.

I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.

The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.