Advantage Quote by William L. Marcy
“The politicians of New York as not so fastidious as some gentlemen are, as to disclosing the principles on which they act. They boldly preach what they practice...if they are defeated, they expect to retire from office. If they are successful, they claim, as a matter of right, the advantages of success. They see nothing wrong in the rule that to the victor belongs the spoils of the enemy.”
About This Quote
Politicians hide motives; they claim rights to success and blame defeat; power follows victory.
In simple terms: Power often masks intent.
Key Takeaway
Question political motives.
Themes
politics
power
ethics
hypocrisy
victory
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
Advantage:1
Claims:1
Defeated:1
Enemy:1
Fastidious:0
Gentleman:0
Ifs:0
Matter:0
New york:0
Office:0
Politician:1
Politicians:1
Politics:1
Practice:0
Principles:0
Retiring:0
Spoil:0
Success:1
Successful:1
Trump:0
Politicians New:0
Spoils Enemy:0
Disclosing Principles:0
Gentlemen Disclosing:0
When to use this quote
- elections
- policy debates
- activism
Key Concepts
political theory
social critique
history
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you hold leaders accountable?
- What defines ethical leadership?
A Different Perspective
Success can breed entitlement.
![“It is not only a troublesome but slavish to be nice [fastidious].” quote by William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/178/william-penn-1104_being-nice_it-is-not-only-a-troublesome-but-slavish_273813.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)
