QuoteProject
I have never regarded politics as the arena of morals. It is the arena of interest.
Aneurin Bevan
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that politics is primarily driven by self-interest rather than moral considerations.

Aneurin Bevan emphasizes that politics is not a domain governed by ethical principles but rather a battleground where individuals and groups pursue their own interests. This perspective implies that moral ideals often take a backseat to the pragmatic realities of power, influence, and competition in political dealings.

Themes

PoliticsInterestMoralityPowerSelf-Interest

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about political ethics, you might quote this to illustrate a pragmatic view of political actions.

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

What is a democrat? One who believes that the republicans have ruined the country. What is a republican? One who believes that the democrats would ruin the country.
Ambrose BierceRead
The two most important things that can be done to promote democracy in the world is first, to bring moral clarity back to world affairs and second, to link international policies to the advance of democracy around the globe.
Natan SharanskyRead
In Palestine, the Israelis claim they found a land without people,' a Syrian officer explained to us. 'Now they will take southern Lebanon and claim they have found another land without people if these refugees do not return.
Robert FiskRead
I had faith in Israel before it was established, I have in it now. I believe it has a glorious future before it - not just another sovereign nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization.
Harry S. TrumanRead
The Arab world is facing its own version of an Iron Curtain, imposed not by external actors but through domestic forces vying for power.
Jamal KhashoggiRead
The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them in parliament.
Vladimir LeninRead

A little wisdom, now and then

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