Another man Quote by Milton Friedman
“One man's opportunism is another man's statesmanship.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Free to Choose, Milton Friedman, 1980
What one sees as opportunism may be viewed as statesmanship by another, highlighting perspective bias.
In simple terms: Opportunism and statesmanship are perspective‑dependent.
Key Takeaway
Consider multiple viewpoints before judgment.
Themes
politics
ethics
leadership
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political analysis
- business strategy
- media criticism
- public debates
- academic discourse
Key Concepts
economics
philosophy
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- When does opportunism become genuine leadership?
- How do we assess intent fairly?
A Different Perspective
Labels can oversimplify complex motives.
![“[On Richard M. Nixon:] The Republican nominee would be far worse than another Eisenhower - he is Tricky Dicky of the first magnitude. His entire record is one of opportunism. I cannot feel that there is the remotest sincerity in him, and that clearly he would be the tool of the highest bidder…” quote by Marguerite Rawalt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bc6/marguerite-rawalt-66654_big-business_on-richard-m-nixon-the-republican-nomine_826446.jpg)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
