--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People do not want politicians they know…" description: "\"People do not want politicians they know to be corrupt.\" — Paddy Ashdown" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/paddy-ashdown-17120_corrupt_people-do-not-want-politicians-they-know_2934379.png" --- # People do not want politicians they know to be corrupt. ![“People do not want politicians they know to be corrupt.” quote by Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/paddy-ashdown-17120_corrupt_people-do-not-want-politicians-they-know_2934379.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/paddy-ashdown-17120_corrupt_people-do-not-want-politicians-they-know_2934379.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/paddy-ashdown-17120_corrupt_people-do-not-want-politicians-they-know_2934379.png) > “People do not want politicians they know to be corrupt.” [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People reject politicians they know are corrupt, preferring integrity over familiarity. **In simple terms:** Corruption erodes trust in leaders. Key Takeaway Demand honesty from officials. Themes politics ethics trust Mood skeptical hopeful Type political reflective When to use this quote - elections - policy debates - media scrutiny Key Concepts corruption public perception Questions to Reflect On - Why do voters tolerate corruption? - How can transparency be enforced? A Different Perspective People may still support corrupt leaders for other benefits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Corrupt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corrupt/) [Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption/) [Know Corrupt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-corrupt-4340986/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Politician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politician/) [Politicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politicians/) [Politicians Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politicians-know-1064899/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Politicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-politicians-231360/) ## Related quotes > [One of the things that's unique about Louisiana politics is that people here have a much more realistic attitude about who their politicians are.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-frost/one-of-the-things-that-s-unique-about-louisiana-politics-is-that/) [Mark Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-frost/) > [I want the politicians to prioritise the climate question, focus on the climate and treat it like a crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-thunburg/i-want-the-politicians-to-prioritise-the-climate-question-focus-on/) [Greta Thunburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-thunburg/) > [Well, I, you know, I think at PIMCO we always try and be open with the press and the public. I mean, isn't that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gross/well-i-you-know-i-think-at-pimco-we-always-try-and-be-open-with-the/) [Bill Gross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gross/) > [“Most politicians are corrupt as they do not represent the masses that voted for them, but rather they choose to return numerous favors to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/most-politicians-are-corrupt-as-they-do-not-represent-the-masses-that/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Politicians know it's a game of power, every politician at every level, even in the common of mortals.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/politicians-know-it-s-a-game-of-power-every-politician-at-every-level/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [I often quote Hitler, who said words to the effect of, "Rulers are fortunate that the people do not think." Politicians know this. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-chambers/i-often-quote-hitler-who-said-words-to-the-effect-of-rulers-are/) [Ernie Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-chambers/) > [Research who your politicians are, even; know what they do, know who they're supported by legislatively, and know who is supporting them financially for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hogg/research-who-your-politicians-are-even-know-what-they-do-know-who/) [David Hogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hogg/) > [All politicians know that every 'temporary' political initiative promised as a short-term poultice stays on the books forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-ozick/all-politicians-know-that-every-temporary-political-initiative/) [Cynthia Ozick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-ozick/) > [There seldom is enmity between seasoned old politicians, who know as much as men can of human weakness and human strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-wicker/there-seldom-is-enmity-between-seasoned-old-politicians-who-know-as/) [Tom Wicker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-wicker/) > [I am very worried about politicians who know that their countries are greatly benefiting financially and at the same time are saying that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kersti-kaljulaid/i-am-very-worried-about-politicians-who-know-that-their-countries-are/) [Kersti Kaljulaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kersti-kaljulaid/) > [I've always tried to avoid politics because most politicians that I know are quite dirty in terms of human dignity, ethics and morals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-seagal/i-ve-always-tried-to-avoid-politics-because-most-politicians-that-i/) [Steven Seagal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-seagal/) > [“As politicians know all too well, even a Government that does not represent the wishes of a people can count on their support once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-hoemberg/as-politicians-know-all-too-well-even-a-government-that-does-not/) [Elisabeth Hoemberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-hoemberg/) > [ I know politicians - I know politicians, believe it or not, better than you \[Ted Cruz\] do. And it's not good. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-know-politicians-i-know-politicians-believe-it-or-not-better-than/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I think politicians know how to misrepresent data in order to support a political agenda. Politicians and the people that work for them -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-gordon/i-think-politicians-know-how-to-misrepresent-data-in-order-to-support/) [Seth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-gordon/) > [Whether we or our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/whether-we-or-our-politicians-know-it-or-not-nature-is-party-to-all/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) ## More by Paddy Ashdown > [I am formally accountable to the steering board of the PIC, and I meet with nine ambassadors from the PIC every week. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/i-am-formally-accountable-to-the-steering-board-of-the-pic-and-i-meet/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [We have invented a new human right here - the right to return home after a war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/we-have-invented-a-new-human-right-here-the-right-to-return-home/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [It works both ways: there are victims of tragedy who come to me who have experienced grief of such magnitude that they cannot reconcile.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/it-works-both-ways-there-are-victims-of-tragedy-who-come-to-me-who/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [I am here because I think it was a terrible sin of the west to allow those years of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/i-am-here-because-i-think-it-was-a-terrible-sin-of-the-west-to-allow/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [I don't think Bosnia is ready for reconciliation, but I do think it is ready for truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/i-don-t-think-bosnia-is-ready-for-reconciliation-but-i-do-think-it-is/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [The multinational corporations now developing budgets often bigger than medium-sized countries — these live in a global space which is largely unregulated, not subject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/the-multinational-corporations-now-developing-budgets-often-bigger/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [Now we are intimately locked together. You get swine flu in Mexico; it’s a problem for Charles de Gaulle Airport 24 hours later. Lehman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/now-we-are-intimately-locked-together-you-get-swine-flu-in-mexico-it/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [Politics is about putting yourself in a state of grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/politics-is-about-putting-yourself-in-a-state-of-grace/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [I can create institutions, but I can't rewrite the chips in people's heads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/i-can-create-institutions-but-i-can-t-rewrite-the-chips-in-people-s/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [One of the great barriers to peace in the Middle East is that both sides, both Israel and the Palestinians, do not understand that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/one-of-the-great-barriers-to-peace-in-the-middle-east-is-that-both/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [It's not my job to be popular. I'm goal-driven; my job is to get results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/it-s-not-my-job-to-be-popular-i-m-goal-driven-my-job-is-to-get-results/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [I was told there would be riots in the streets, but there were no riots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/i-was-told-there-would-be-riots-in-the-streets-but-there-were-no-riots/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [We who came here saw what was happening. This was far more than a war in a faraway place. This was a moral imperative,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/we-who-came-here-saw-what-was-happening-this-was-far-more-than-a-war/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [We have to make their livelihoods viable, get them the proper prices for their produce, try and make them stay rather than sell their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/we-have-to-make-their-livelihoods-viable-get-them-the-proper-prices/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [My second job has been to try to use my power to create institutions of a modern state that could enter the European Union,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/my-second-job-has-been-to-try-to-use-my-power-to-create-institutions/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) [Explore all 38 Paddy Ashdown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) ## More Corrupt quotes > [“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-emerich-edward-dalberg-acton/power-tends-to-corrupt-and-absolute-power-corrupts-absolutely-great/) [John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-emerich-edward-dalberg-acton/) > [The Democrats and the Republicans are equally corrupt where money is concerned. It's only in the amount where the Republicans excel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/the-democrats-and-the-republicans-are-equally-corrupt-where-money-is/) [Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/) > [Chicago is unique. It is the only completely corrupt city in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-edward-merriam/chicago-is-unique-it-is-the-only-completely-corrupt-city-in-america/) [Charles Edward Merriam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-edward-merriam/) > [Chicago's been under the grip of the corrupt and broken political machine for as long as everybody's memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lori-lightfoot/chicago-s-been-under-the-grip-of-the-corrupt-and-broken-political/) [Lori Lightfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lori-lightfoot/) > [What astonishes many of us is not so much that human nature is fundamentally corrupt; we are astonished rather that it does not behave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-irving-seiden/what-astonishes-many-of-us-is-not-so-much-that-human-nature-is/) [Morton Irving Seiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-irving-seiden/) > [The problem is that when you grow absolutely certain that all authorities are corrupt, then that would include the Palestinian authorities as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elia-suleiman/the-problem-is-that-when-you-grow-absolutely-certain-that-all/) [Elia Suleiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elia-suleiman/) > [Corruption hates what is not corrupt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-park/corruption-hates-what-is-not-corrupt/) [Paul Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-park/) > [The Islamist camp is infused with a righteous indignation, as the forces of old, corrupt and rotten Egypt unite to try and drive them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/the-islamist-camp-is-infused-with-a-righteous-indignation-as-the/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [I have so many positive points. I am not corrupt, I am competent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamilisai-soundararajan/i-have-so-many-positive-points-i-am-not-corrupt-i-am-competent/) [Tamilisai Soundararajan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamilisai-soundararajan/) > [“It’s so easy to lose faith and become lost in all of the politics of the world. That’s why we need the arts. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/it-s-so-easy-to-lose-faith-and-become-lost-in-all-of-the-politics-of/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“Interacting with a corrupt government judge is futile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/interacting-with-a-corrupt-government-judge-is-futile/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/those-who-find-ugly-meanings-in-beautiful-things-are-corrupt-without/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [If the Russians masterminded fraud for 40 years at the highest state level in sports, operating behind the scenes to corrupt sports, what else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-fogel/if-the-russians-masterminded-fraud-for-40-years-at-the-highest-state/) [Bryan Fogel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-fogel/) > [Burn a Bush cause for peace he no push no button. Killing over oil and grease, no weapons of destruction, How can we follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/common/burn-a-bush-cause-for-peace-he-no-push-no-button-killing-over-oil-and/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/common/) > [ I think everybody is covering their \[posteriors\] with the Enron scandal and it was very convenient that Sept. 11 came along to deflect the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bernhard/i-think-everybody-is-covering-their-posteriors-with-the-enron-scandal/) [Sandra Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bernhard/) [Browse all 602 Corrupt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corrupt/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "People do not want politicians they know to be corrupt.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paddy Ashdown" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/people-do-not-want-politicians-they-know-to-be-corrupt/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Corrupt" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/people-do-not-want-politicians-they-know-to-be-corrupt/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/paddy-ashdown-17120_corrupt_people-do-not-want-politicians-they-know_2934379.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/paddy-ashdown-17120_corrupt_people-do-not-want-politicians-they-know_2934379.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/paddy-ashdown-17120_corrupt_people-do-not-want-politicians-they-know_2934379.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“People do not want politicians they know to be corrupt.” — Paddy Ashdown", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Paddy Ashdown", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "People do not want politicians they...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/people-do-not-want-politicians-they-know-to-be-corrupt/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/people-do-not-want-politicians-they-know-to-be-corrupt/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```