--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When it comes to morality, I'd rather…" description: "\"When it comes to morality, I'd rather have an unfaithful president like Bill Clinton, who tried to reform welfare, than a faithful George Bush who prop..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/467/steve-coogan-2910_bills_when-it-comes-to-morality-i-d-rather-hav_658167.jpg" --- # When it comes to morality, I'd rather have an unfaithful… ![“When it comes to morality, I'd rather have an unfaithful president like Bill Clinton, who tried to reform welfare, than a faithful George Bush who propagated an illegal war on the rest of the world. So that is where my morality stands.” quote by Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/467/steve-coogan-2910_bills_when-it-comes-to-morality-i-d-rather-hav_658167.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/467/steve-coogan-2910_bills_when-it-comes-to-morality-i-d-rather-hav_658167.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/467/steve-coogan-2910_bills_when-it-comes-to-morality-i-d-rather-hav_658167.jpg) > “When it comes to morality, I'd rather have an unfaithful president like Bill Clinton, who tried to reform welfare, than a faithful George Bush who propagated an illegal war on the rest of the world. So that is where my morality stands.” [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker values policy outcomes over personal morality, preferring a leader with moral flaws but progressive policies over a morally upright leader with harmful actions. **In simple terms:** Policy impact matters more than personal virtue. Key Takeaway Prioritize results over personal conduct. Themes politics ethics leadership Mood critical skeptical Type political opinion When to use this quote - voting decisions - public advocacy - campaign support Key Concepts policy analysis moral trade‑offs Questions to Reflect On - Do ends justify the means? - How do we balance character and competence? A Different Perspective A leader's personal conduct can still erode trust despite policy benefits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Faithful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faithful/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Reform](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reform/) [Unfaithful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfaithful/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Welfare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/welfare/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Every important cultural gesture comes down to a morality, a model for human behavior concentrated into a gesture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/every-important-cultural-gesture-comes-down-to-a-morality-a-model-for/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [“Food comes first and then morality Bertolt brecht”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/food-comes-first-and-then-morality-bertolt-brecht/) [bertolt brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [“There are general laws current in the world as to morality. 'Thou shalt not steal,' for instance. That has “necessarily been current as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/there-are-general-laws-current-in-the-world-as-to-morality-thou-shalt/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) > [If you want to live in a world without judgmentalism, it also means living in a world without morality and decency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hawkins/if-you-want-to-live-in-a-world-without-judgmentalism-it-also-means/) [John Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hawkins/) > [A person may be qualified to do greater good to mankind and become more beneficial to the world, by morality without faith than by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/a-person-may-be-qualified-to-do-greater-good-to-mankind-and-become/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“When people don’t travel to places different from those they inhabit in their routines they become habituated to the actualities of their worlds. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-panzer/when-people-don-t-travel-to-places-different-from-those-they-inhabit/) Jeffrey Panzer > [“When the gap between the world of the city and the world my grandfather had presented to me as right and good became too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-moore/when-the-gap-between-the-world-of-the-city-and-the-world-my/) [Alan Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-moore/) > [I love the gallery, the arena of representation. It's a commercial world, and morality is based generally around economics, and that's taking place in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-koons/i-love-the-gallery-the-arena-of-representation-it-s-a-commercial/) [Jeff Koons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-koons/) > [Every one says there always there for you. When you finally need some one, no one is ever there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinahi-martinez/every-one-says-there-always-there-for-you-when-you-finally-need-some/) [Sinahi Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinahi-martinez/) > [Wanting hope in an unfaithful ZONE!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade/wanting-hope-in-an-unfaithful-zone/) [Jade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade/) > [Why do you tell me all the things you should be telling your girlfriend?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-do-you-tell-me-all-the-things-you-should-be-telling-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Cheaters want you to be faithful while they're being unfaithful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/cheaters-want-you-to-be-faithful-while-they-re-being-unfaithful/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I know that he knows I'm unfaithful and it kills him inside to know that I am happy with some other guy. I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rihanna/i-know-that-he-knows-i-m-unfaithful-and-it-kills-him-inside-to-know/) [Rihanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rihanna/) > [I dont play when it comes to being unfaithful. You cheat, you get no second chance & you lost the best thing that ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-dont-play-when-it-comes-to-being-unfaithful-you-cheat-you-get-no/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The unfaithful woman, if she is known for such by the person concerned, is only unfaithful. If she is thought faithful, she is perfidious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/the-unfaithful-woman-if-she-is-known-for-such-by-the-person-concerned/) [Jean De La Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) ## More by Steve Coogan > [As soon as I see period costume, I turn off. It's like hearing drama on Radio 4.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/as-soon-as-i-see-period-costume-i-turn-off-it-s-like-hearing-drama-on/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [A woman wearing a revealing dress will always be sexier than a naked woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/a-woman-wearing-a-revealing-dress-will-always-be-sexier-than-a-naked/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I like to do movies that provoke rather than reinforce conservative values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-like-to-do-movies-that-provoke-rather-than-reinforce-conservative/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I'm gonna hump ya. Like Deputy Dog... Would hump ya.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-m-gonna-hump-ya-like-deputy-dog-would-hump-ya/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [What terrifies me is that I might somehow endorse that view so people think they don't have to read books anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/what-terrifies-me-is-that-i-might-somehow-endorse-that-view-so-people/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I am lucky to be in a profession that is not age dependent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-am-lucky-to-be-in-a-profession-that-is-not-age-dependent/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I think there's as much profundity and wisdom in Shakespeare, more so in fact, than those in the Bible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-think-there-s-as-much-profundity-and-wisdom-in-shakespeare-more-so/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I don't apologize for my behavior anymore. Whatever I do or don't do shouldn't matter. Moral certainty is dangerous. Moral certainty is what makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-don-t-apologize-for-my-behavior-anymore-whatever-i-do-or-don-t-do/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [A womb with a view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/a-womb-with-a-view/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I'm really encouraged by Pope Francis, because I think his attitude is totally laudable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-m-really-encouraged-by-pope-francis-because-i-think-his-attitude-is/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [Knowing about comedy has helped me with the drama. To see people laugh, it's like there are moments of catharsis in the middle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/knowing-about-comedy-has-helped-me-with-the-drama-to-see-people-laugh/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I happen to have a public profile. Ditto newspaper editors. It's a result of what I do, not an end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-happen-to-have-a-public-profile-ditto-newspaper-editors-it-s-a/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [The fundamentalists are insistent that they know best. It's a dictatorial attitude towards personal morality, which is a modern creation that came about in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/the-fundamentalists-are-insistent-that-they-know-best-it-s-a/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [I use improvisation as a writing tool to help produce material that goes into a script, but a well-crafted script shouldn't sound scripted, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-use-improvisation-as-a-writing-tool-to-help-produce-material-that/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) > [If the person who can effectively sanction ill-conceived wars can play the electric guitar, which is a symbol of rebellion, then that whole worldview…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/if-the-person-who-can-effectively-sanction-ill-conceived-wars-can/) [Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) [Explore all 145 Steve Coogan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/) ## More Bills quotes > [If you’re a person struggling to eat and stay healthy you might have heard about Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali, but you’ll never have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/if-you-re-a-person-struggling-to-eat-and-stay-healthy-you-might-have/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Some of the folks on both sides might be sincere, but it does seem as if it is only the opposition that cares about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bovard/some-of-the-folks-on-both-sides-might-be-sincere-but-it-does-seem-as/) [James Bovard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bovard/) > [ \[Sport officials\] blocked their support of us. But those individuals \[ Muhammad Ali, the Jim Browns, the Bill Russells, Kareem Abdul Jabbar \] were… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-carlos/sport-officials-blocked-their-support-of-us-but-those-individuals/) [John Carlos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-carlos/) > [Simple fairness dictates that government must not raise taxes on families struggling to pay their bills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/simple-fairness-dictates-that-government-must-not-raise-taxes-on/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-fare-that-s-darned-good-advice/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [ I will not agree to have this bill \[to repeal DADT \] go forward, because our economy is in the tank. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-will-not-agree-to-have-this-bill-to-repeal-dadt-go-forward-because/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [This is not really currency that circulates. It's like the old joke about expensive vintage wine. Wine prices will go up and once in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hudson/this-is-not-really-currency-that-circulates-it-s-like-the-old-joke/) [Michael Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hudson/) > [If Bill Gates left Microsoft we wouldn't allow Donald Trump to run it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-i-am/if-bill-gates-left-microsoft-we-wouldn-t-allow-donald-trump-to-run-it/) [will.i.am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-i-am/) > [Your goal should be to pay off your credit card bills in full at the end of each month and set aside money toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/your-goal-should-be-to-pay-off-your-credit-card-bills-in-full-at-the/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [He's fat and a clown, Bill, a fat clown for all to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eamon-dunphy/he-s-fat-and-a-clown-bill-a-fat-clown-for-all-to-see/) [Eamon Dunphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eamon-dunphy/) > [There's nothing nice about Steve Jobs and there's nothing evil about Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-peddle/there-s-nothing-nice-about-steve-jobs-and-there-s-nothing-evil-about/) Chuck Peddle > [At first I thought, if I were Superman, a perfect secret identity would be "Clark Kent, Dentist," because you could save money on tooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/at-first-i-thought-if-i-were-superman-a-perfect-secret-identity-would/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [Whether it's people walking off 'The View' when Bill O'Reilly makes a statement about radical Islam or Juan Williams being fired for expressing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-cantor/whether-it-s-people-walking-off-the-view-when-bill-o-reilly-makes-a/) [Eric Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-cantor/) > [The one thing the police cannot protect us from is a politician like Bill de Blasio.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/the-one-thing-the-police-cannot-protect-us-from-is-a-politician-like/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [Bill Hicks - blowtorch, excavator, truthsayer, and brain specialist. He will correct your vision. Others will drive on the road he built.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-waits/bill-hicks-blowtorch-excavator-truthsayer-and-brain-specialist-he/) [Tom Waits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-waits/) Browse all 2,663 Bills quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When it comes to morality, I'd rather have an unfaithful president like Bill Clinton, who tried to reform welfare, than a faithful George Bush who propagated an illegal war on the rest of the world. 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