---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By the time the civil service has…"
description: "\"By the time the civil service has finished drafting a document to give effect to the principle, there may be little of the principle left.\" — John Reit..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/john-reith-1st-baron-reith-868_bureaucracy_by-the-time-the-civil-service-has-finish_1437539.jpg"
---

#  By the time the civil service has finished drafting a…

![“By the time the civil service has finished drafting a document to give effect to the principle, there may be little of the principle left.” quote by John Reith, 1st Baron Reith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/john-reith-1st-baron-reith-868_bureaucracy_by-the-time-the-civil-service-has-finish_1437539.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/john-reith-1st-baron-reith-868_bureaucracy_by-the-time-the-civil-service-has-finish_1437539.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/john-reith-1st-baron-reith-868_bureaucracy_by-the-time-the-civil-service-has-finish_1437539.jpg)

> “By the time the civil service has finished drafting a document to give effect to the principle, there may be little of the principle left.”

John Reith, 1st Baron Reith

## About This Quote

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

Bureaucratic processes often dilute original principles, leaving them weakened.

**In simple terms:** Process can erode intent.

Key Takeaway

Guard core values against procedural drift.

Themes

bureaucracy principles policy

Mood

analytical critical

Type

philosophical practical

When to use this quote

- government drafting
- corporate policy
- lawmaking
- project management

Key Concepts

Organizational theory ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we preserve intent?
- What safeguards protect principles?

A Different Perspective

Rigid processes can also ensure consistency.

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[Bureaucracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bureaucracy/) [Civil service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-service/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

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