Government Quote by David Eddings
“It's all very well to put the government in the hands of the perfect man, but what do you do when the perfect man gets a bellyache?”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Belgariad, 1982
Even a perfect leader can be incapacitated by minor, unexpected problems, highlighting the fragility of relying on a single ideal.
In simple terms: Perfect leaders are vulnerable to small issues.
Key Takeaway
Plan for contingencies beyond a single hero.
Themes
leadership
vulnerability
contingency planning
Mood
cautionary
thought‑provoking
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- business management
- crisis response
- team dynamics
Key Concepts
human fallibility
systems thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What backup plans exist if your leader fails?
- How can you distribute responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on one person creates risk.
![“[I]f the policy of the Government, upon vital questions affecting, the whole people is to be irrevocably fixed by decisions of the Supreme Court, the instant they are made, in ordinary litigation between parties in personal actions, the people will have ceased, to be their own rulers, having, to…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b03/abraham-lincoln-88_action_i-f-the-policy-of-the-government-upon-vi_426986.jpg)
