One of the little-celebrated powers of Presidents (and other high government officials) is to listen to their critics with just enough sympathy to ensure their silence.
John Kenneth GalbraithRead
There are times in politics when you must be on the right side and lose.
Interpretation
What this quote means
In politics, sometimes doing the right thing can lead to loss rather than victory.
This quote highlights the moral dilemmas often faced in politics, where adhering to one's principles may not always align with achieving success. It underscores the idea that there are moments in political life when the ethical choice leads to defeat, signaling that integrity can sometimes come at a cost.
Themes
PoliticsIntegrityMoralityLossPrinciples
In practice
Example use cases
In a political rally emphasizing integrity, this quote can inspire supporters to value ethics over mere victories.
More from John Kenneth Galbraith
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The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.
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All successful revolutions are the kicking in of a rotten door.
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Money differs from an automobile or mistress in being equally important to those who have it and those who do not.
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People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage.
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