The Grace and Power of Civility

In essence, civility is the interaction of these forces, of commitment and tolerance, of passion and mutual respect, that has been the hallmark of the American experience. Indeed, while commitment without tolerance produces a sort of zealous, destructive fundamentalism, tolerance without commitment entails a moral reserve that can degenerate into moral vacuity or paralysis.

Which, then, is the true America? The America of division or the America of unity? The America of endless public and partisan warfare or the America of cooperation, civility, and common purpose? The America of many or the America of one? In the balance of these forces lies the genius of the American experience.