Compromise

The word “compromise” sounds good in our modern ears. It rings of progress and of social good. And it is good. It is even necessary. One of the arguments in its favor is that it allows all to sense contentment and happiness. It is for the common good after all.

But there is a price for everything. Not even death is free from this. And compromise is a much more expensive commodity than mortality. With every compromise we make we sell happiness. It is important to remember that all commodities have two aspects: quality and quantity. It is also important to remember that happiness is a quality and compromise is a quantity.

We chip away at the quality of one to allow more of the other.

Compromise is a necessary component of civilization and is becoming more important as we over-populate this planet but to say that compromise is always better is a fool’s game. We compromise our own happiness for numerous reasons but only one reason is worthy. Compromise is warranted when it causes the quality of each of our lives to be greater, not lessened.

Compromise in most of its forms is a lie wrought by those who know nothing of happiness.