Compromise is the best and cheapest lawyer.

The aphorism treats “lawyer” as a stand-in for any costly, adversarial process of settling disputes. Stevenson’s point is pragmatic rather than idealistic: when parties insist on total victory, they often pay in money, time, and damaged relationships—costs that can exceed the value of what is being fought over. Compromise, by contrast, functions like a skilled advocate because it secures a workable outcome while avoiding the expense and uncertainty of formal litigation (or prolonged conflict). The line also carries a moral undertone common to Stevenson’s essays: wisdom lies in proportion and self-command, in knowing when to yield to preserve peace and resources.