Astute Quote by C.J. Cherryh
““But his political sense kept up a persistent itch that said: A, Given ignorance in the mix, stupidity was at least as common in politics as astute maneuvering; B, Crisis always drew insects; and, C, Inevitably the party trying to resolve a matter had to contend with the party most willing to exploit it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Pride of Chanur, 1982, Science Fiction
Political maneuvering mixes ignorance and opportunism, with crises attracting exploitative actors and parties exploiting matters for gain.
In simple terms: Politics blends stupidity, opportunism, and crises.
Beware of those who exploit crises for power.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- election campaigns
- corporate lobbying
- disaster response
- media framing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives political actors to exploit crises?
- Can ethical leadership overcome opportunism?
Not all political actors are malicious; some may act sincerely.