Deep down Quote by Oriana Fallaci
![“[Indira Gandhi] looked tired that day, and all of a sudden I exclaimed, 'Deep down I don't envy you, and I shouldn't like to be in your place.' And she said, 'The problem is not in the problems I have, it's in the idiots around me. Democracy, you know...' I now wonder what she meant by that…” quote by Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c5/oriana-fallaci-3082_deep-down_indira-gandhi-looked-tired-that-day-and_507935.jpg)
“[Indira Gandhi] looked tired that day, and all of a sudden I exclaimed, 'Deep down I don't envy you, and I shouldn't like to be in your place.' And she said, 'The problem is not in the problems I have, it's in the idiots around me. Democracy, you know...' I now wonder what she meant by that unfinished phrase.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Oriana Fallaci with Indira Gandhi, 1975
Indira Gandhi felt frustrated not by her own challenges but by the incompetence surrounding her, implying that poor governance stems from bad advisors.
In simple terms: Frustration with surrounding incompetence
Key Takeaway
Recognize the impact of surrounding people on outcomes
Themes
leadership
politics
frustration
Mood
exasperated
reflective
Type
political
observational
When to use this quote
- government meetings
- team management
- policy implementation
- crisis response
Key Concepts
bureaucracy
decisionmaking
accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you mitigate the influence of incompetent colleagues?
- What strategies help protect decision‑making from surrounding noise?
A Different Perspective
Even capable leaders can be hampered by bad advisors.
![“Sometimes I ask myself whether [Indira Gandhi] had, even then, a certain contempt for the system she represented and, years later, would overthrow.” quote by Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9cd/oriana-fallaci-3082_asks_sometimes-i-ask-myself-whether-indira-ga_2534311.jpg)
