---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An ethical man survives in a bureaucratic…"
description: "\"An ethical man survives in a bureaucratic post only if he puts his ethics in second place.\" — Gordon R Dickson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18e/gordon-r-dickson-2-40823_character_an-ethical-man-survives-in-a-bureaucrati_1915005.jpg"
---

#  An ethical man survives in a bureaucratic post only if he…

![“An ethical man survives in a bureaucratic post only if he puts his ethics in second place.” quote by Gordon R Dickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18e/gordon-r-dickson-2-40823_character_an-ethical-man-survives-in-a-bureaucrati_1915005.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18e/gordon-r-dickson-2-40823_character_an-ethical-man-survives-in-a-bureaucrati_1915005.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18e/gordon-r-dickson-2-40823_character_an-ethical-man-survives-in-a-bureaucrati_1915005.jpg)

> “An ethical man survives in a bureaucratic post only if he puts his ethics in second place.”

[Gordon R Dickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-r-dickson-2/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

An ethical person must compromise ethics to survive in bureaucratic systems.

**In simple terms:** Ethics often sacrificed in bureaucracy.

Key Takeaway

Navigate systems without losing integrity.

Themes

ethics bureaucracy survival compromise

Mood

pragmatic cautious

Type

ethical practical

When to use this quote

- career advancement
- government work
- corporate management
- nonprofit leadership

Key Concepts

institutional pressure moral compromise pragmatic ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- When is it acceptable to compromise ethics?
- How can you maintain integrity in a corrupt system?

A Different Perspective

Compromise may erode personal integrity over time.

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Browse all 96 Bureaucratic quotes

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