July 26, 2025

If politicians lived on praise and thanks they’d be forced into some other line of business.

Edward Heath (1916–2005), British Conservative politician and prime minister, attributed, Jay p.173

Be honest with yourself: on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being “absolutely” and 1 “not at all”, how true is it that the pursuit of praise is what led you to a career in politics? Have you got that number? Yes? Now double it!

And to the contrary, if abuse and obloquy ever became valuable, politicians would be very rich.