Civil servants Quote by George Mikes
““There are various, centuries-old, true British traditions to secure this aim. 1. All orders and directives to the public are worded in such a way that they should have no meaning whatever. 2. All official letters are written in such a language that the oracles of Delphi sound as examples of clear, outspoken, straightforward statements compared with them. 3. Civil Servants never make decisions, they only promise to ‘consider,’ — ‘consider favourably’ — or — and this is the utmost — ‘reconsider’ certain questions. 4. In principle the British Civil Servant stands always at the disposal of the public. In practice he is either in ‘conference’ or out for lunch, or in but having his tea, or just out. Some develop an admirable technique of going out for tea before coming back from lunch.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Englishman’s Guide to Civil Service, George Mikes, 1954
British bureaucracy often obscures meaning with vague language and endless deliberation, prioritizing form over substance.
In simple terms: Official language is deliberately unclear and decisions are avoided.
Key Takeaway
Seek clarity and accountability in public communication.
Themes
bureaucracy
communication
accountability
politics
culture
Mood
skeptical
ironic
critical
Type
satirical
observational
commentary
When to use this quote
- government reports
- policy drafting
- public inquiries
- citizen complaints
- media analysis
Key Concepts
institutional inertia
obfuscation
decision avoidance
public service
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens demand clearer explanations?
- What mechanisms ensure officials act, not just promise?
A Different Perspective
Complex systems may resist simplification; cultural norms can reinforce opacity.
