Quotes by Pragmatism It is better to prevent crimes than to punish them. Cesare Beccaria pragmatism crime The definition of definition is at bottom just what the maxim of pragmatism expresses. Charles Sanders Peirce pragmatism bottom definitions Pragmatism is an intellectually safe but ultimately sterile philosophy. J. Robert Oppenheimer pragmatism safe philosophy Idealism without pragmatism is impotent. Pragmatism without idealism is meaningless. The key to effective leadership is pragmatic idealism. Richard M. Nixon pragmatism idealism keys Extremists on the left tend to be just as critical of pragmatism as extremists on the right. Richard M. Nixon pragmatism critical extremist ROS: Why don't you go and have a look? GUIL: Pragmatism?! - is that all you have to offer? Tom Stoppard pragmatism offers looks ...never let a passion for the perfect take precedence over pragmatism. Walter Isaacson pragmatism passion perfect