Believe Quote by Kevin Costner
“I believe people who go into politics want to do the right thing. And then they hit a big wall of re-election and the pettiness of politics. In the end, politics gets in the way of the business of people.”
About This Quote
Source Film: Dances with Wolves, 1990
Political idealism often clashes with the pragmatic pressures of re‑election, leading to cynicism and neglect of public service.
In simple terms: Idealism vs. political reality.
Key Takeaway
Beware of power’s corrupting influence.
Themes
politics
idealism
corruption
public service
Mood
cynical
reflective
Type
advice
critical
When to use this quote
- campaign strategy
- policy making
- public advocacy
- government reform
Key Concepts
cynicism
re‑election pressure
ethical compromise
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal ambitions affect public duty?
- Can idealism survive in politics?
A Different Perspective
Idealism can be compromised by personal ambition.
![“The contradiction [trying to use Russian model to reshape Italy] grew to such an extent that I felt totally cut off from the communist world and, in the end, from politics. That was fortunate. The idea of putting literature in second place, after politics, is an enormous mistake, because politics…” quote by Italo Calvino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c7d/italo-calvino-402_achieve_the-contradiction-trying-to-use-russian_1561012.jpg)
