QuoteProject
We have over a hundred political detainees, men against whom we are unable to prove anything in a court of law. Nearly 50 of them are men who gave us a great deal of anxiety during the years of Confrontation because they were Malay extremists. Your life and this dinner would not be what it is if my colleagues and I had decided to play it according to the rules of the game.
Lee Kuan Yew
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote underscores the moral dilemmas and difficult decisions faced by leaders in dealing with political unrest and extremism.

In this quote, Lee Kuan Yew reflects on the challenges of governance, particularly when it comes to political extremism and the limitations of the legal system in addressing such threats. He suggests that in order to maintain order and stability, sometimes difficult choices have to be made that may not strictly adhere to legal norms, emphasizing the tension between justice, security, and practical governance.

Themes

PoliticsDetaineesGovernanceExtremismJusticeLeadership

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate on national security, this quote can illustrate the complexities leaders face in ensuring safety.

More from Lee Kuan Yew

China is a vast, disparate country; there is no alternative to strong central power.
Lee Kuan YewRead
I can feel the gradual decline of energy and vitality. And I mean generally, every year, when you know you are not on the same level as last year. But that's life.
Lee Kuan YewRead
Political reform need not go hand in hand with economic liberalization.. I hold unconventional views about this.. I do not believe if you are a libertarian, full of diverse opinions, full of competing ideas in the market place, full of sound and fury, therefore you will succeed.
Lee Kuan YewRead
The human being is an unequal creature. That is a fact. And we start off with the proposition. All the great religions, all the great movements, all the great political ideology, say let us make the human being as equal as possible. In fact, he is not equal, never will be.
Lee Kuan YewRead
They say, oh, let’s have multiparty politics. Let’s have different parties change and be in charge of the Government. Is it that simple? You vote in a Division Three government, not a Division One government, and the whole economy will just subside within three, four years. Finished.
Lee Kuan YewRead
America's greatest long-term influence on China comes from playing host to the thousands of students who come from China each year, some of the ablest Chinese scholars and scientists. They will be the most powerful agents for change in China.
Lee Kuan YewRead

Similar quotes

The danger to the country, to Europe, to her vast Empire, which is involved in having all these great interests entrusted to the shaking hand of an old, wild, and incomprehensible man of 82, is very great!
Queen VictoriaRead
Trouble is, we call politics a game, but it isn't one. There is no referee, and the teams make up the rules as they go along. You can't cry foul or offside in politics. Almost anything goes.
Michael IgnatieffRead
Accepting that Arabs have the right to elect their own leaders means accepting the rise of governments that do not share America's pro-Israel militancy.
Stephen KinzerRead
I say further that for this great legislative body to ignore the Constitution and the fundamental concepts of our governmental system is to act in a manner which could ultimately destroy the freedom of all American citizens, including the freedoms of the very persons whose feelings and whose liberties are the major subject of this legislation.
Barry GoldwaterRead
Only armchair politicians are immune from committing mistakes. Errors are inherent in political action.
Nelson MandelaRead
Would they not fear that citizens not less tenacious than conscious of their rights would flock from the remotest extremes of their respective states to the places of election, to overthrow their tyrants, and to substitute men who would be disposed to avenge the violated majesty of the people?
Alexander HamiltonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

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