Govern Quote by John Galsworthy
““Politics are popularly supposed to govern the direction, and statesmen to be the guardian angels, of Civilization. It seems to me that they have little or no power over its growth. They are of it, and move with it. Their concern is rather with the body than with the mind or soul of a nation. One needs not to be an engineer to know that to pull a man up a wall one must be higher than he; that to raise general taste one must have better taste than that of those whose taste he is raising.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Man Who Was Thursday, 1908
Leaders influence society more through example and taste than direct control; they must embody higher standards to elevate the public.
In simple terms: Leaders raise society by example, not force.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate personal excellence to inspire others.
Themes
leadership
culture
influence
taste
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- politics
- corporate governance
- community leadership
- art education
Key Concepts
moral authority
social dynamics
education
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders balance influence with humility?
- What role does personal taste play in public policy?
A Different Perspective
May underestimate structural constraints.
![“Justice is a machine that, when someone has once given it the starting push, rolls on of itself. - John Galsworthy, Justice [1910], act II” quote by John Galsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eb0/john-galsworthy-4232_computers_justice-is-a-machine-that-when-someone-h_110831.jpg)
