Ambitious Quote by L. Neil Smith
“There's nothing noble or selfless about politicians and there never has been. Putting it charitably, Profiles in Courage is a compendium of Democratic mythology, ghostwritten for an ambitious young Massachusetts Senator who never did a thing for himself if he could pay to have it done by others.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The World Turned Upside Down by L. Neil Smith, 1995
The quote argues that politicians are inherently self‑interested and that narratives portraying them as noble are mythic fabrications.
In simple terms: Politicians act for personal gain, not altruism.
Key Takeaway
Question motives, not rhetoric.
Themes
politics
ethics
mythmaking
Mood
cynical
critical
skeptical
Type
political
commentary
critical
When to use this quote
- voting decisions
- campaign volunteering
- policy analysis
- public discourse
Key Concepts
self‑interest
power dynamics
political narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- Are all politicians selfish?
- How can we identify true public service?
A Different Perspective
It overlooks politicians who genuinely serve the public good.
