I am out here to work, mind, to hold this wretched country…
““I am out here to work, mind, to hold this wretched country by force. I'm not a missionary or a Labour Member or a vague sentimental sympathetic literary man. I'm just a servant of the Government; it's the profession you wanted me to choose myself, and that's that. We're not pleasant in India, and we don't intend to be pleasant. We've something more important to do.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A servant of the state asserts duty over sentiment, emphasizing harsh governance in India.
In simple terms: Duty to government over personal sentiment.
Key Takeaway
Consider the moral cost of blind service.
Themes
politics
colonialism
duty
Mood
serious
critical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- colonial administration
- military command
- public service
Key Concepts
realpolitik
ethical leadership
Questions to Reflect On
- Is service without compassion justified?
- What responsibilities do officials have to the people?
A Different Perspective
Blind duty can ignore human suffering.