--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is very comforting to believe that…" description: "\"It is very comforting to believe that leaders who do terrible things are, in fact, mad. That way, all we have to do is make sure we don't put psychotic..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c46/tom-wolfe-2191_believe_it-is-very-comforting-to-believe-that-le_2626050.jpg" --- # It is very comforting to believe that leaders who do… ![“It is very comforting to believe that leaders who do terrible things are, in fact, mad. That way, all we have to do is make sure we don't put psychotics in high places and we've got the problem solved.” quote by Tom Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c46/tom-wolfe-2191_believe_it-is-very-comforting-to-believe-that-le_2626050.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c46/tom-wolfe-2191_believe_it-is-very-comforting-to-believe-that-le_2626050.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c46/tom-wolfe-2191_believe_it-is-very-comforting-to-believe-that-le_2626050.jpg) > “It is very comforting to believe that leaders who do terrible things are, in fact, mad. That way, all we have to do is make sure we don't put psychotics in high places and we've got the problem solved.” [Tom Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-wolfe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A cynical rationalization that evil leaders are merely mad, suggesting removal of “mad” people solves the problem. **In simple terms:** Labeling bad leaders as crazy simplifies accountability. Key Takeaway Address systemic issues, not just individuals. Themes leadership morality psychology politics Mood critical skeptical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - political appointments - corporate governance - military command - public policy - media critique Key Concepts cynicism responsibility power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can we prevent abuse beyond labeling? - What safeguards protect against dangerous leaders? A Different Perspective Ignores structural causes of misconduct. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comforting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comforting/) [High places](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-places/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leaders/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) ## Related quotes > [“The sole difference between myself and a madman is the fact that I am not mad!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/the-sole-difference-between-myself-and-a-madman-is-the-fact-that-i-am/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [I believe that leaders should inspire you to be more like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/i-believe-that-leaders-should-inspire-you-to-be-more-like-them/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [We believe that leaders should be following the masses. 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He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. 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