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About this quote

What does it mean?
A single mistake or negative act does not erase a person's entire history of valuable contributions.
In plain terms
Past good deeds still count even if someone makes a mistake now.
What can you take from it?
Do not let one error invalidate someone's whole record.

Where it applies

  • performance reviews
  • conflict resolution
  • reputation management

Putting it to work

  • weigh overall contributions
  • avoid zero-sum judgments
  • separate act from person

Questions to consider

  • When does a mistake outweigh past merits?
  • How do you balance past and present?

Another view

Some errors are too severe to be outweighed by past service.

More from Benjamin Disraeli

  1. Great countries are those that produce great people.

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  2. His shortcoming is his long staying.

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  3. Demagogues and agitators are very unpleasant, they are incidental to a free and constitutional country, and you must put up with these inconveniences or do wit…

    Permalink to quote #193

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