Our business in life is not to succeed, but to continue to fail in good spirits.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
Politics is perhaps the only profession for which no preparation is thought necessary.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Politics often does not require formal training or preparation for individuals to participate, which can lead to unqualified leaders.
In this quote, Robert Louis Stevenson critiques the political profession, suggesting that individuals can enter politics without any formal education or preparation. This lack of prerequisite knowledge or training may result in a governance system populated by those who are ill-equipped to lead, emphasizing the importance of competence and preparedness in leadership roles.
Themes
PoliticsPreparationLeadershipCompetenceGovernance
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on the importance of training for leaders, one could reference Stevenson's quote.
More from Robert Louis Stevenson
All quotes βLike a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
His past was fairly blameless; few men could read the rolls of their life with less apprehension; yet he was humbled to the dust by the many ill things he had done, and raised up again into sober and fearful gratitude by the many he had come so near to doing, yet avoided.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
The habit of being happy enables one to be freed, or largely freed, from the domination of outward conditions.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
It is the history of our kindnesses that alone make this world tolerable. If it were not for that, for the effect of kind words, kind looks, kind letters . . . I should be inclined to think our life a practical jest in the worst possible spirit.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
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If one generation is expected to carry an excessive burden on behalf of another, it will seek by every means to avoid it. It will either demand that past promises are broken, or it will not work, or it will not pay taxes, or the most talented people will leave. Socialist governments which have tried to tax 'till the pips squeak' have ample experience of that.
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Democracy is four wolves and a sheep voting on dinner.
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A man who is not interested in politics is not doing his patriotic duty toward maintaining the constitution of the United States.
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If cars and buses were attacked daily by petrol bombs or stones for 16 months in Washington, could you imagine it would be tolerated? It would not, because in the name of democracy, to preserve democracy, steps would be taken.
Ariel SharonRead