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He brings to the fierce struggle of politics the tepid enthusiasm of a lazy summer afternoon at a cricket match.
Aneurin Bevan
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote highlights the contrast between the intense nature of politics and a lackadaisical approach to it.

Aneurin Bevan's quote illustrates how some individuals approach the vigorous and often combative world of politics with a calm and indifferent attitude akin to that of enjoying a relaxed summer afternoon at a cricket match. This comparison serves to criticize those who fail to engage deeply with the seriousness and urgency of political issues, suggesting that their lack of passion hinders progress and change.

Themes

PoliticsEnthusiasmApathyCriticismEngagement

In practice

Example use cases

During a political debate, one might refer to this quote to emphasize the need for passionate engagement.

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I know that the right kind of leader for the Labour Party is a desiccated calculating machine who must not in any way permit himself to be swayed by indignation. If he sees suffering, privation or injustice he must not allow it to move him, for that would be evidence of the lack of proper education or of absence of self-control. He must speak in calm and objective accents and talk about a dying child in the same way as he would about the pieces inside an internal combustion engine.
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It is an axiom, enforced by all the experience of the ages, that they who rule industrially will rule politically.
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How can wealth persuade poverty to use its political freedom to keep wealth in power? Here lies the whole art of Conservative politics in the twentieth century.
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I have never regarded politics as the arena of morals. It is the arena of interest.
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Stand not too near the rich man lest he destroy thee - and not too far away lest he forget thee.
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There can be no immaculate conception of socialism.
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