--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was young, all the politicians…" description: "\"When I was young, all the politicians looked like ancient Latin teachers or greengrocers. They were mumbly, stumbly men with their hair blowing in thei..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d16/dylan-moran-1716_ancient_when-i-was-young-all-the-politicians-loo_2358250.jpg" --- # When I was young, all the politicians looked like ancient… ![“When I was young, all the politicians looked like ancient Latin teachers or greengrocers. They were mumbly, stumbly men with their hair blowing in their eyes, walking into trees, opening the wrong door. They had no idea how to present themselves.” quote by Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d16/dylan-moran-1716_ancient_when-i-was-young-all-the-politicians-loo_2358250.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d16/dylan-moran-1716_ancient_when-i-was-young-all-the-politicians-loo_2358250.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d16/dylan-moran-1716_ancient_when-i-was-young-all-the-politicians-loo_2358250.jpg) > “When I was young, all the politicians looked like ancient Latin teachers or greengrocers. They were mumbly, stumbly men with their hair blowing in their eyes, walking into trees, opening the wrong door. They had no idea how to present themselves.” [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker humorously recalls that politicians once seemed clueless, likening them to outdated teachers or shopkeepers, highlighting a perceived lack of competence and authenticity. **In simple terms:** Politicians once seemed out‑of‑touch and bumbling. Key Takeaway Recognize the importance of clear communication and competence in public office. Themes politics authenticity communication leadership public perception Mood humorous reflective critical Type satirical observational When to use this quote - Campaign speeches - media interviews - public debates - political training - voter education Key Concepts Satire media criticism political competence Questions to Reflect On - What makes a politician appear authentic? - How does media shape our view of political competence? A Different Perspective Some politicians are competent and adapt; not all are inept. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient/) [Blowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blowing/) [Door](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/door/) [Doors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doors/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes/) [Had](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/had/) [Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hair/) [Hair blowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hair-blowing-78011/) [How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/how/) [Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Latin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latin/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Like Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-ancient-541293/) [Looked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looked/) [Looked Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looked-like/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [No idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-idea/) [Opening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opening/) [Politician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politician/) [Politicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politicians/) [Politicians Looked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politicians-looked-5765478/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) [Teachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachers/) [Themselves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/themselves/) [Tree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tree/) [Trees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trees/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) [Walking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walking/) [Were](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/were/) [Wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrong/) [Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young/) [Young Politicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-politicians-3674356/) ## Related quotes > [Young politicians should be promoted by our leaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-kapoor/young-politicians-should-be-promoted-by-our-leaders/) [Kunal Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-kapoor/) > [The thing that attracted me to my husband was his pride. I'll never forget the first time I saw him, standing up on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-carroll/the-thing-that-attracted-me-to-my-husband-was-his-pride-i-ll-never/) [Jean Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-carroll/) > [These new young politicians have given us the confidence to start dreaming again to believe there is a better politics, and a better future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brunello-cucinelli/these-new-young-politicians-have-given-us-the-confidence-to-start/) [Brunello Cucinelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brunello-cucinelli/) > [I like to sing in the car with the windows rolled down and hair blowing all over my face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-alaina/i-like-to-sing-in-the-car-with-the-windows-rolled-down-and-hair/) [Lauren Alaina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-alaina/) > [I do wear wigs. ... I sometimes make the joke about me standing on a hilltop with my hair blowing in the wind -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-do-wear-wigs-i-sometimes-make-the-joke-about-me-standing-on-a/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [There are many politicians who are from the Congress or the BJP or the Aam Aadmi Party who are all my friends and who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-yo-honey-singh/there-are-many-politicians-who-are-from-the-congress-or-the-bjp-or/) [Yo Yo Honey Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-yo-honey-singh/) > [“I meet so many ambitious young politicians and leaders who want to jump to the head of the line. They do not know how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-meet-so-many-ambitious-young-politicians-and-leaders-who-want-to/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [She's a yellow pair of running shoes, a holey pair of jeans. She looks great in cheap sunglasses, she looks great in anything. She's,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/she-s-a-yellow-pair-of-running-shoes-a-holey-pair-of-jeans-she-looks/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [“The chiseled beauty of his features, like an ancient greek coin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/the-chiseled-beauty-of-his-features-like-an-ancient-greek-coin/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [Fit men walking around and bathing, it would be just like being in Ancient Rome \[on a footballers dressing room](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barrowman/fit-men-walking-around-and-bathing-it-would-be-just-like-being-in/) [John Barrowman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barrowman/) > [“Modern people are just like ancient ones, only more numerous.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/modern-people-are-just-like-ancient-ones-only-more-numerous/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > ['Frankenstein' feels like an ancient tale, the kind of traditional story that appears in many other forms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-branagh/frankenstein-feels-like-an-ancient-tale-the-kind-of-traditional-story-2/) [Kenneth Branagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-branagh/) > [I like that ancient Saxon phrase, which calls, The burial-ground God's-Acre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/i-like-that-ancient-saxon-phrase-which-calls-the-burial-ground-god-s/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [I write about times and places I would visit in a time machine, like ancient Rome or the Wild West.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-lawrence/i-write-about-times-and-places-i-would-visit-in-a-time-machine-like/) [Caroline Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-lawrence/) > [Frankenstein feels like an ancient tale, the kind of traditional story that appears in many other forms. It appeals to something very primal, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-branagh/frankenstein-feels-like-an-ancient-tale-the-kind-of-traditional-story/) [Kenneth Branagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-branagh/) ## More by Dylan Moran > [“You should be alive as you can until you're totally dead.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/you-should-be-alive-as-you-can-until-you-re-totally-dead/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [America's work ethic is non-stop; it's not even enshrined in law that workers have to get their two weeks holiday money. But Americans work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/america-s-work-ethic-is-non-stop-it-s-not-even-enshrined-in-law-that/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [The characters can't be wittier than people are in real life. They have to be character witty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/the-characters-can-t-be-wittier-than-people-are-in-real-life-they/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [ \[Adulthood feels like\] walking around in the desert with a bag over your head, being bumped into by people who rob you as they… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/adulthood-feels-like-walking-around-in-the-desert-with-a-bag-over/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [Don't do it! Stay away from your potential. You'll mess it up, it's potential, leave it. Anyway, it's like your bank balance - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/don-t-do-it-stay-away-from-your-potential-you-ll-mess-it-up-it-s/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [If you're talking about crowd enthusiasm, it varies. I have a decent following in Australia so I like there. I'm interested in playing everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/if-you-re-talking-about-crowd-enthusiasm-it-varies-i-have-a-decent/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [There are two types of wine essentially, and everybody knows this. There's the one where you drink it and go, "Mmmm, well that's ok,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/there-are-two-types-of-wine-essentially-and-everybody-knows-this/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [Go and lie down in the dark... for hours... and don't move. I'm locking the door now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/go-and-lie-down-in-the-dark-for-hours-and-don-t-move-i-m-locking-the/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [I suppose the best comedy shows do have the rock n' roll feeling - if it's a great night, and the roof is raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/i-suppose-the-best-comedy-shows-do-have-the-rock-n-roll-feeling-if-it/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [Beer must be made by food companies. It makes you wander the streets at 3 am looking for things to eat. "What's that, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/beer-must-be-made-by-food-companies-it-makes-you-wander-the-streets/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [The sensible thing for everyone to do would be to write all their op-eds and think pieces now so they're ready the day after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/the-sensible-thing-for-everyone-to-do-would-be-to-write-all-their-op/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [I don't do drugs. If I want a rush I just get out of a chair when I'm not expecting it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/i-don-t-do-drugs-if-i-want-a-rush-i-just-get-out-of-a-chair-when-i-m/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [I think I still get something from the original broadcaster but I'm certainly not aware of any Netflix van driving to my house and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/i-think-i-still-get-something-from-the-original-broadcaster-but-i-m/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [People do need a social license to go, "Ha ha ha," and have a good time. It's a strange thing. There's a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/people-do-need-a-social-license-to-go-ha-ha-ha-and-have-a-good-time/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [I'm a vegetarian, well I'm not hardcore because I eat meat, but only because I like the taste, and I hate vegetables on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/i-m-a-vegetarian-well-i-m-not-hardcore-because-i-eat-meat-but-only/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) [Explore all 213 Dylan Moran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) ## More Ancient quotes > [“We ought to know the history of our ancient ancestors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/we-ought-to-know-the-history-of-our-ancient-ancestors/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [In ancient times, those who wished to illuminate the world with virtue first brought order to their nations. Wishing to order well their nations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/in-ancient-times-those-who-wished-to-illuminate-the-world-with-virtue/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Ancient eyes had stared at me, filled with ancient grief. And something more. Something so alien and unexpected that I'd almost burst into tears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/ancient-eyes-had-stared-at-me-filled-with-ancient-grief-and-something/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [“Whenever I think about ancient cultures nostalgia seizes me. Perhaps this is nothing but envy of the sweet slowness of the history of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/whenever-i-think-about-ancient-cultures-nostalgia-seizes-me-perhaps/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [I don't know if I've come of age, but I'm certainly older now. I feel shrunken, as if there's a tiny ancient Oliver Tate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-dunthorne/i-don-t-know-if-i-ve-come-of-age-but-i-m-certainly-older-now-i-feel/) [Joe Dunthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-dunthorne/) > [Tentatively I stood a great lump of wood on the chopping block and bought the axe down on it. It flew into two perfect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-garner/tentatively-i-stood-a-great-lump-of-wood-on-the-chopping-block-and/) [Helen Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-garner/) > [Men must speak English who can write Sanskrit; they must speak a modern language who write, perchance, an ancient and universal one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/men-must-speak-english-who-can-write-sanskrit-they-must-speak-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [So too, monks, I saw the ancient path, the ancient road traveled by the Perfectly Enlightened Ones of the past. And what is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/so-too-monks-i-saw-the-ancient-path-the-ancient-road-traveled-by-the/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [Ancient societies had anthropomorphic gods: a huge pantheon expanding into centuries of dynastic drama; fathers and sons, martyred heroes, star-crossed lovers, the deaths of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hiddleston/ancient-societies-had-anthropomorphic-gods-a-huge-pantheon-expanding/) [Tom Hiddleston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hiddleston/) > [My life shall be free and broad and great, and I will not be the slave to the sense delights which chained my ancient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/my-life-shall-be-free-and-broad-and-great-and-i-will-not-be-the-slave/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [Those of us with this ancient compulsion to tell stories sometimes start with a single kernel of something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-p-jones/those-of-us-with-this-ancient-compulsion-to-tell-stories-sometimes/) [Edward P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-p-jones/) > [All the stories I have told you are finally as useless as all ancient knowledge is to man and to us. Its images and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/all-the-stories-i-have-told-you-are-finally-as-useless-as-all-ancient/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) > [So what if I'm ninety-three? So what if I'm ancient and cranky and my body's a wreck? If they're willing to accept me and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gruen/so-what-if-i-m-ninety-three-so-what-if-i-m-ancient-and-cranky-and-my/) [Sara Gruen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gruen/) > [Science has revealed a universe that is vast, ancient, violent, strange, and beautiful, a universe of almost infinite variety and possibility one in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-mlodinow/science-has-revealed-a-universe-that-is-vast-ancient-violent-strange/) [Leonard Mlodinow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-mlodinow/) [Browse all 2,415 Ancient quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was young, all the politicians looked like ancient Latin teachers or greengrocers. They were mumbly, stumbly men with their hair blowing in their eyes, walking into trees, opening the wrong door. 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