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When we're trying to decide whether a leader is a good leader or a bad one, the question to ask is: 'Is he with the Ten Commandments or is he against them?' Then you can determine if the leader is a true messiah or another Stalin.
Isaac Bashevis Singer
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Interpretation

What this quote means

A good leader upholds moral principles, while a bad leader disregards them.

Isaac Bashevis Singer suggests that the measure of a true leader lies in their adherence to fundamental ethical guidelines, symbolized by the Ten Commandments. This perspective emphasizes the importance of morality in leadership, contrasting virtuous leaders with those who, like Stalin, may wield power without ethical consideration.

Themes

LeadershipMoralityEthicsGoodBadCommandments

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a seminar on ethical leadership.

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Quote by Isaac Bashevis Singer | QuoteProject