The President of the United States should strive to be always mindful of the fact that he serves his party best who serves his country best.
Rutherford B. HayesRead
Nothing brings out the lower traits of human nature like office-seeking. Men of good character and impulses are betrayed by it into all sorts of meanness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The pursuit of power can reveal the worst aspects of human behavior, corrupting even those with good intentions.
In this quote, Rutherford B. Hayes highlights the corrupting influence of ambition for political office, suggesting that the desire for power can lead individuals to act against their better nature. Even those who are normally virtuous and possess good character may find themselves engaging in dishonorable conduct when motivated by the pursuit of position, thus exposing the inherent weaknesses within human nature.
Themes
PowerCorruptionHuman NatureAmbitionCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about political ethics, one might reference this quote to emphasize the risks of power.
More from Rutherford B. Hayes
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Personally I do not resort to force - not even the force of law - to advance moral reforms. I prefer education, argument, persuasion, and above all the influence of example - of fashion.
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Wars will remain while human nature remains. I believe in my soul in cooperation, in arbitration; but the soldier's occupation we cannot say is gone until human nature is gone.
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The bold enterprises are the successful ones. Take counsel of hopes rather than of fears to win in this business.
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It is the desire of the good people of the whole country that sectionalism as a factor in our politics should disappear.
Rutherford B. HayesRead
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