--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A great statesman is he who knows when to…" description: "\"A great statesman is he who knows when to depart from traditions, as well as when to adhere to them.\" — John Stuart Mill" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/john-stuart-mill-477_inspirational_a-great-statesman-is-he-who-knows-when-t_1013806.png" --- # A great statesman is he who knows when to depart from… ![“A great statesman is he who knows when to depart from traditions, as well as when to adhere to them.” quote by John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/john-stuart-mill-477_inspirational_a-great-statesman-is-he-who-knows-when-t_1013806.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/john-stuart-mill-477_inspirational_a-great-statesman-is-he-who-knows-when-t_1013806.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/john-stuart-mill-477_inspirational_a-great-statesman-is-he-who-knows-when-t_1013806.png) > “A great statesman is he who knows when to depart from traditions, as well as when to adhere to them.” [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A great leader knows when to break tradition and when to follow it. **In simple terms:** Know when to change or keep customs. Key Takeaway Balance tradition with innovation. Themes leadership tradition innovation Mood analytical reflective Type philosophical political When to use this quote - policy reform - organizational change - cultural preservation - decision making Key Concepts political theory ethics Questions to Reflect On - When should a leader preserve tradition? - What signs indicate it’s time to innovate? A Different Perspective Rigid adherence can stifle progress; too much change can cause instability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Statesmen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statesmen/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) ## Related quotes > [“It is true that a great statesman is he who knows when to depart from traditions, as well as when to adhere to them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/it-is-true-that-a-great-statesman-is-he-who-knows-when-to-depart-from/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [The course of a great statesman resembles that of navigable rivers, avoiding immovable obstacles with noble bends of concession, seeking the broad levels of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/the-course-of-a-great-statesman-resembles-that-of-navigable-rivers/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [“Can any man doubt whether it is better to be a great statesman or a common thief?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton/can-any-man-doubt-whether-it-is-better-to-be-a-great-statesman-or-a/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton/) > [A great statesman, like a good housekeeper, knows that cleaning has to be done every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-maurois/a-great-statesman-like-a-good-housekeeper-knows-that-cleaning-has-to/) [Andre Maurois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-maurois/) > [Richelieu was a great statesman, and like all great statesman, he was a very ruthless man. 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