When I first met Tony Blair in 1996, he was open and idealistic, keen to bring a breath of fresh air to government. But something happened - was it just the arrogance of power? - that narrowed Labour's vision from purposeful reform and investment, to peevish and petulant pragmatism.

Rory Bremner

I'd rather sink with a bad theory than swim with muddy pragmatism.

Ben Miller

The common belief is that you are either a dreamer or a realist. But idealism and pragmatism aren't as far apart as one might think.

Bill de Blasio

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.

Bono

The most surprising thing, honestly, is that so few Americans know about the orphan trains. I was also surprised at the resilience and fortitude of the riders I met, their pragmatism and grace. I don't know whether this is a Midwestern trait or simply a human one.

Christina Baker Kline

Our platform is crafted by Democrats but it is not about partisanship, its about pragmatism.

Cory Booker

Europe, in legend, has always been the home of subtle philosophical discussion; America was the land of grubby pragmatism.

Daniel Bell

Idealism loses to pragmatism when it comes to winning elections.

Danny Strong

Pragmatism and romance are sort of opposites.

David Berman

There's eco-pragmatism, where you recognize, 'Yeah, we live on a planet that's permanently altered by humanity, and rather than seek to return to or preserve pure wilderness, we recognize that's an illusion, and we proceed under the new knowledge that we live, in fact, in a human-dominated planet.'

David Grinspoon

I abhor anything that constitutes torture. Water-boarding, it's perfectly clear to me it is torture. I never supported extraordinary rendition to torture, always said that Guantanamo should be closed. There is no clash of ideals and pragmatism there.

David Miliband

Action requires focus and priorities and these inherently require compromises and pragmatism.

Dominic Cummings

His track record of pragmatism, depth and candor all speak to a person who would find the Tea Party simplistic, opportunistic and misguided. Reagan was surrounded by some very smart people who gave him very sound advice. They were not wondering where certain countries are on the map.

Eugene Jarecki

I've made a professional reputation playing working-class, middle-class, American women. There's a real sense of stoicism and pragmatism and strength and lyricism of a woman like that.

Frances McDormand

If you look at the approach Theresa May has taken to Brexit so far, she has the instincts of a Brexiteer but the cautious pragmatism of a remainer, which is where I think the British people are. She brings incredible resilience, and we have to allow her to get on and negotiate this deal.

Jeremy Hunt

I'm well aware of the pragmatism of politics.

Jerry Falwell

I'm just sick of the way things are. We're in an age in which we can't live without accepting the logic of the market. Contemporary politics is all about short-term pragmatism. We have abandoned religion and philosophy... What we have left is the automatisation of doing what the market tells us.

Jose Mujica

Pragmatism is not always a good thing. Experience is not always a good thing.

Keith Ellison

Greatness is not manifested by unlimited pragmatism, which places such a high premium on the end justifying any means and any methods.

Margaret Chase Smith

For all of its well-deserved reputation for pragmatism, American popular culture frequently nurtures or at least tolerates preposterous views and theories. Witness the 9/11 'truthers' who, lacking any evidence whatsoever, claim that 9/11 was a Bush administration plot.

Michael Hayden

Conservative politics are about pragmatism, realism and stability.

Nicky Morgan