Politics is the practical exercise of the art of…
“Politics is the practical exercise of the art of self-government, and somebody must attend to it if we are to have self-government; somebody must study it, and learn the art, and exercise patience and sympathy and skill to bring the multitude of opinions and wishes of self-governing people into such order that some prevailing opinion may be expressed and peaceably accepted. Otherwise, confusion will result either in dictatorship or anarchy. The principal ground of reproach against any American citizen should be that he is not a politician. Everyone ought to be, as Lincoln was.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Self‑government requires study, patience, and skill to reconcile diverse wishes into peaceful order.
In simple terms: Good governance needs learning and patience to unite many views.
Key Takeaway
Study politics to help shape society.
Themes
politics
self‑government
citizen duty
Mood
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
civic
educational
When to use this quote
- voting
- public debate
- policy making
Key Concepts
democracy
civic responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- Are you willing to learn political processes?
- How can citizens influence policy without office?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone can become a skilled politician; expertise varies.