Action Quote by Leo Strauss
“All political action aims at either preservation or change. When desiring to preserve, we wish to prevent a change for the worse; when desiring to change, we wish to bring about something better. All political action is then guided by some thought of better or worse.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Natural Right and History, 1950
Political actions are driven by the desire either to preserve the current state or to improve it, each guided by judgments of better or worse.
In simple terms: Politics is about keeping things or changing them, based on what we think is better.
Key Takeaway
Identify whether you aim to preserve or improve.
Themes
politics
ethics
change
preservation
values
Mood
analytical
critical
thoughtful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting decisions
- legislative reforms
- social movements
Key Concepts
conservatism
progressivism
normative theory
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- What values guide your political choices?
- When is change more urgent than stability?
A Different Perspective
Preservation can stifle necessary innovation.
![“The emancipation of the scholars and scientists from philosophy is according to [Nietzsche] only a part of the democratic movement, i.e. of the emancipation of the low from subordination to the high. ... The plebeian character of the contemporary scholar or scientist is due to the fact that he has…” quote by Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/76a/leo-strauss-12446_character_the-emancipation-of-the-scholars-and-sci_389563.jpg)
