The test of a real comedian is whether you laugh at him before he opens his mouth.
George Jean NathanRead
Bad officials are the ones elected by good citizens who do not vote.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the responsibility of citizens to vote, hinting that their inaction leads to poor leadership.
This quote by George Jean Nathan underscores the critical role that voter participation plays in the democratic process. It suggests that when good citizens fail to engage in elections, they inadvertently allow unfit leaders to be chosen, thus highlighting a direct connection between civic duty and the quality of governance.
Themes
VoteCitizenshipResponsibilityLeadershipDemocracy
In practice
Example use cases
During a political debate, one might say this quote to encourage audience members to participate in upcoming elections.
More from George Jean Nathan
All quotes βBeauty makes idiots sad and wise men merry.
George Jean NathanRead
It may be said that artist and censor differ in this wise: that the first is a decent mind in an indecent body and that the second is an indecent mind in a decent body.
George Jean NathanRead
It is the mark of a superior person that, left to themselves they are able endlessly to amuse, interest and entertain themselves out of their personal stock of meditations, ideas, criticisms, memories, philosophy, humor and what not.
George Jean NathanRead
Politics is the diversion of trivial men who, when they succeed at it, become important in the eyes of more trivial men.
George Jean NathanRead
All that is necessary to raise imbecility into what the mob regards as profundity is to lift it off the floor and put it on a platform.
George Jean NathanRead
Similar quotes
The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
Never may a man prone to believe scandal be a despot or a popular leader! Under his guidance, democracy itself will be despotism.
Apollonius Of TyanaRead
The life of states cannot, any more than the life of individuals, be conditioned by the force and the will of a unit, however powerful, but by the consensus of a group, which must one day include all states.
Lester B. PearsonRead
Government can't do anything for you except in proportion as it can do something to you.
William F. Buckley, Jr.Read
The biggest lesson I learned from Vietnam is not to trust [our own] government statements.
J. William FulbrightRead
The Bush administration continues to coddle China, despite its continuing crackdown on democratic reform, its brutal subjugation of Tibet, its irresponsible export of nuclear and missile technology... Such forbearance on our part might have made sense during the Cold War when China was the counterweight to Soviet power. It makes no sense to play the China card now when our opponents have thrown in their hand.
William J. ClintonRead