---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If wisdom in government eludes us…"
description: "\"If wisdom in government eludes us, perhaps courage could substitute-the moral courage to terminate mistakes.\" — Barbara Tuchman"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/268/barbara-tuchman-3945_courage_if-wisdom-in-government-eludes-us-perhap_2845812.png"
---

#  If wisdom in government eludes us, perhaps courage could…

![“If wisdom in government eludes us, perhaps courage could substitute-the moral courage to terminate mistakes.” quote by Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/268/barbara-tuchman-3945_courage_if-wisdom-in-government-eludes-us-perhap_2845812.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/268/barbara-tuchman-3945_courage_if-wisdom-in-government-eludes-us-perhap_2845812.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/268/barbara-tuchman-3945_courage_if-wisdom-in-government-eludes-us-perhap_2845812.png)

> “If wisdom in government eludes us, perhaps courage could substitute-the moral courage to terminate mistakes.”

[Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-tuchman/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

When wisdom fails in governance, moral courage can replace it, especially to correct errors.

**In simple terms:** Moral courage can compensate for lack of wisdom.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate moral courage in leadership.

Themes

leadership ethics wisdom

Mood

thoughtful inspirational

Type

philosophical practical

When to use this quote

- political leadership
- organizational governance
- crisis management

Key Concepts

courage decision‑making accountability

Questions to Reflect On

- How can leaders balance wisdom and courage?
- What actions demonstrate moral courage?

A Different Perspective

Courage alone may not fix systemic issues.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Courage Substitute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage-substitute-3757729/) [Courage Terminate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage-terminate-3757731/) [Elude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elude/) [Elude us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elude-us/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Moral courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-courage/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Substitutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/substitutes/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wisdom Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom-government-3757730/)

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