Bureaucracy Quote by Evan Esar
“A bureaucrat is an official who is clothed with power and whom it doesn't fit.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Book of Quotations by Evan Esar, 1955
Power without competence creates absurdity; authority should match ability.
In simple terms: Power must fit the person.
Key Takeaway
Seek roles that match your skills.
Themes
authority
competence
absurdity
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
satirical
observational
When to use this quote
- government jobs
- corporate management
- leadership appointments
Key Concepts
bureaucracy
role suitability
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you feel your role matches your abilities?
- How can institutions ensure fit?
A Different Perspective
Even fitting power can be misused.
![“When the fountains of government [borrowing] abundance began to dry up, when through lack of funds and the impossibility of negotiating fresh loans the state was forced to check the extension of bureaucracy and to put a stop to public works, then and then only did the Italians realize what it…” quote by John T. Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/908/john-t-flynn-18493_abundance_when-the-fountains-of-government-borrowi_2663.jpg)
![“[The Utopia of Rules] should offer a challenge to us all. Should we just accept this bureaucracy as inevitable? Or is there a way to get rid of all those hours spent listening to bad call-centre music? Do policemen, academics, teachers and doctors really need to spend half their time filling in…” quote by Gillian Tett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/223/gillian-tett-57286_accepting_the-utopia-of-rules-should-offer-a-chall_39418.jpg)
