We ought not to extract pernicious honey from poison blossoms of misrepresentation and mendacious half-truth, to pamper the course appetite of bigotry and self-love.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
The three great ends which a statesman ought to propose to himself in the government of a nation, are one, Security to possessors; two, facility to acquirers; and three, hope to all.
Interpretation
A statesman should aim to provide security, support opportunities for acquisition, and instill hope in the populace.
In this quote, Samuel Taylor Coleridge emphasizes the essential responsibilities of a statesman in governance. He argues that a successful leader must ensure security for those who already possess property or rights, facilitate opportunities for those seeking to acquire wealth or status, and cultivate a sense of hope for all citizens, fostering a conducive environment for societal growth and stability.
In practice
In a public speech about leadership principles.
We ought not to extract pernicious honey from poison blossoms of misrepresentation and mendacious half-truth, to pamper the course appetite of bigotry and self-love.
Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
And all who heard should see them there, And all should cry, Beware! Beware! His flashing eyes, his floating hair! Weave a circle round him thrice, And close your eyes with holy dread, For he on honey-dew hath fed, And drunk the milk of Paradise.
Often do the spirits stride on before the event; and in today already walks tomorrow.
Mr. Lyell's system of geology is just half the truth, and no more. He affirms a great deal that is true, and he denies a great deal which is equally true; which is the general characteristic of all systems not embracing the whole truth.
To believe and to understand are not diverse things, but the same things in different periods of growth.
Make it clear up front what the aim of the company is. Stay true to your authentic vision.
When they remain in garrison, soldiers are maintained with fear and punishment; when they are then led to war, with hope and reward.
There is a time for weighing evidence and a time for acting. And if there's one thing I've learned throughout my work in finance, government, and conservation, it is to act before problems become too big to manage.
Leadership experts and the public alike extol the virtues of transformational leaders - those who set out bold objectives and take risks to change the world. We tend to downplay 'transactional' leaders, whose goals are more modest, as mere managers.
If the modern leader doesn't know the facts, he is in grave trouble, but rarely do the facts provide unqualified guidance.
A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be.
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