Pragmatist Quotes

“Dynamic equivalence is a central concept in the translation theory, developed by Eugene A. Nida, which has been widely adopted by the United Bible Societies...Purporting to be an academically linguistic concept, it is in fact a sociocultural concept of communication. Its definition is essentially behavourist: determined by external forces, such as society--with strong pragmatist overtones--focusing on the reader rather than the writer. [M]ost twentieth-century American philosophical endeavours are predominantly pragmatist, dwelling in the shadows cast by William James and John Dewey.”

“It is better to be a pragmatist than a lunatic.”

“As a rationalist, pragmatist, and a scientist I rarely involve myself in the cosmological arguments of the creation of the universe.”

“Some people are pragmatists, taking things as they come and making the best of the choices available. Some people are idealists, standing for principle and refusing to compromise. And some people just act on any whim that enters their heads. I wonder which one YOU are. I pragmatically turn my whims into principles!”

“He is a pragmatist. He is not right wing nor left wing nor any wing.”

“Tragic heroes are failed pragmatists. Their ends are unrealistic and their means are impractical.”

“The prosaic fact of the universe's existence alone defeats both the pragmatist and the romantic.”

“David ran through concrete advantages. And then set aside the practical. The pragmatist was gone, replaced by the poet and mystic.”

“I'm a kindhearted but highly competitive pragmatist. When I seek to win something, I always make certain it's never at the expense of anything more serious than the inadequate efforts of others.”

“I'm a pragmatist. I think, as a woman, you have to be more careful. You have to be more communal, you have to say yes to more things than men, you have to worry about things that men don't have to worry about. But once we get enough women into leadership, we can break stereotypes down. If you lead, you get to decide.”