A Minister can always give a reason; and, if he be clever…
“A Minister can always give a reason; and, if he be clever, he can generally when doing so punish the man who asks for it. The punishing of an influential enemy is an indiscretion; but an obscure questioner may often be crushed with good effect.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A clever minister can fabricate excuses and punish inquisitive critics, especially when they are obscure, using power to silence dissent.
In simple terms: Powerful officials manipulate excuses to suppress questioning.
Key Takeaway
Beware of authority that silences questions.
Themes
politics
power
manipulation
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- government meetings
- courtroom interrogations
- media interviews
- corporate boardrooms
Key Concepts
authority
repression
strategic silence
Questions to Reflect On
- Who is being silenced and why?
- How can transparency be protected?
A Different Perspective
Such tactics can erode trust and invite abuse of power.