January 2, 2025

Politicians, like prostitutes, are held in contempt. But what man does not run to them when they need their services?

Brendan Behan (1923–1964), Irish writer, in The Cynic’s Lexicon, Jonathon Green, ed. (London: 1986), p. 78

Assuming the politician is in this business for all the right reasons, why does he stay, when being treated with contempt (veiled or otherwise) is so much a part of the job?

Many people overestimate the powers that politicians have, so that when they can’t deliver whatever, the prejudice that already infects the average person’s view of politicians as a class is only reinforced. Trying to teach these individuals how government actually works, is an idiot’s project.