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

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.

More from Aneurin Bevan

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.
Aneurin BevanRead
It is an axiom, enforced by all the experience of the ages, that they who rule industrially will rule politically.
Aneurin BevanRead
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.
Aneurin BevanRead
I have never regarded politics as the arena of morals. It is the arena of interest.
Aneurin BevanRead
Stand not too near the rich man lest he destroy thee - and not too far away lest he forget thee.
Aneurin BevanRead
There can be no immaculate conception of socialism.
Aneurin BevanRead

Similar quotes

People talk about smart sanctions and crippling sanctions. I've never seen smart sanctions, and crippling sanctions cripple everyone, including innocent civilians, and make the government more popular.
Mohamed ElbaradeiRead
I suspect there have been a number of conspiracies that never were described or leaked out. But I suspect none of the magnitude and sweep of Watergate.
Bob WoodwardRead
Corruption is a cancer: a cancer that eats away at a citizen's faith in democracy, diminishes the instinct for innovation and creativity; already-tight national budgets, crowding out important national investments. It wastes the talent of entire generations. It scares away investments and jobs.
Joe BidenRead
We, the people, are not free. Our democracy is but a name. We vote? What does that mean? It means we choose between Tweedledee and Tweedledum. We elect expensive masters to do our work for us, and then blame them because they work for themselves and for their class.
Helen KellerRead
Theodore Roosevelt's policy to build a two-ocean navy confirmed that the old-style isolationism of the founders had not survived the modern, increasingly globalized world.
Margaret MacmillanRead
Behold a republic standing erect while empires all around are bowed beneath the weight of their own armaments - a republic whose flag is loved while other flags are only feared.
William Jennings BryanRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.