It’s about being principled, right? So it should be pretty obvious. But we struggle with the idea.

A principle is something in which you believe. And if believing that it’s important to believe in something is what you believe in, then you aren’t expressing a belief. You’re merely agreeing to the rules.

I know it’s obvious, but it is also maddeningly common.

Of course it is important to be principled. And it is important to value high-minded debate. These certainly are important values. But these also should be a given for everyone. They shouldn’t be your principles. They must be our principles.

What are your principles? What do you stand upon? Help me know them! Then we meet with my principles and figure out where we stand together.

When you claim “being principled” as your principle, you’re stealing what’s ours while hiding what’s yours. It isn’t as fair as it sounds.

Yes, be principled. And name them.