Alas, how easily things go wrong! A sigh too much, a kiss too long And there follows a mist and a weeping rain And life is never the same again
George MacdonaldRead
It is not in the nature of politics that the best men should be elected. The best men do not want to govern their fellowmen.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that the most capable individuals often avoid political power, which is why they are not elected.
George Macdonald reflects on the nature of politics, asserting that those who are truly qualified and virtuous are typically disinclined to seek political office. This creates a paradox where the political system is filled with individuals less suited for leadership, as the truly 'best' individuals prioritize their moral values and reluctance to govern over personal ambition.
Themes
PoliticsGovernanceLeadershipMoralityPower
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the current political climate, this quote can help highlight the challenges of finding suitable leaders.
More from George Macdonald
All quotes βHe may delay because it would not be safe to give us at once what we ask: we are not ready for it. To give ere we could truly receive, would be to destroy the very heart and hope of prayer, to cease to be our Father. The delay itself may work to bring us nearer to our help, to increase the desire, perfect the prayer, and ripen the receptive condition.
George MacdonaldRead
When I can no more stir my soul to move, and life is but the ashes of a fire; when I can but remember that my heart once used to live and love, long and aspire- O, be thou then the first, the one thou art; be thou the calling, before all answering love, and in me wake hope, fear, boundless desire.
George MacdonaldRead
But words are vain; reject them allβ They utter but a feeble part: Hear thou the depths from which they call, The voiceless longing of my heart.
George MacdonaldRead
Few delights can equal the presence of one whom we trust utterly.
George MacdonaldRead
What distressed me most - more even than my own folly - was the perplexing question - How can beauty and ugliness dwell so near? Even with her altered complexion and face of dislike; disenchanted of the belief that clung around her; known for a living, walking sepulcher, faithless, deluding, traitorous; I felt, notwithstanding all this, that she was beautiful. Upon this I pondered with undiminished perplexity.
George MacdonaldRead
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To be free is better than to be unfree β always. Any politician who suggests the opposite should be treated as suspect.
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Government is the assumption of authority over a given area and all within it, exercised generally for the double purpose of more complete oppression of its subjects and extension of its boundaries.
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He who uses the office he owes to the voters wrongfully and against them is a thief.
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