“Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice,” he said. “Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” -Barry Goldwater

Such quotes as Barry Goldwater’s are not limited to politics. Such attitudes persist at every level. It is easy to let difficult conversations slide, small slights made on the sly pass.

The attitude becomes, “It’s not worth it.”

But it is. It is necessary. Because not all claims are hard and fast, backed clearly by evidence, because not all claims are zero sum, because not all claims are made clearly with their intent out front, easily identified.

The question to Goldwater’s quote might be: “Why is it worth it?”

And even then it will tempting to say, “No.”

But we must always keep one question in particular in mind because with every slight, every inconsideration, with every smiling lie, with every irresponsible decision made in dark rooms and in dining rooms, with every selfish endeavor and choice to simply look away and walk off we answer another question.

What kind of society do we want to live in?