Asks Quote by Anthony Trollope
“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
Source Novel: The Eustace Diamonds, 1869
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.
