Falcon, I would add that when one compromises a principle that is strongly held, there is a price to be paid in guilt and regret. If there is no guilt or regret, then, the principle probably held little meaning. For example, a person makes a compromise for which years later he says it was his greatest regret because the other side of the compromise was never upheld. I would believe this person to be a man of principle. Whereas, another person makes a very explicit promise which he does not uphold. It costs him greatly but, he never expresses any feelings of guilt or regret. This would lead me to believe he was not a person of real principle. Or, at least a person who believed in the principle of upholding one's word. He might not have fared too well in Sackett's world. Point being that I would agree that compromise has its place but, compromise of one's principles comes with a price.