A movement which is confined to philosophers and honest men can never exercise any real political influence: there are too few of them. Until a movement shows itself capable of spreading among brigands, it can never hope for a political majority.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Shaw claims movements led only by philosophers or honest men lack political power unless they attract less scrupulous people.
- In plain terms
- Good people alone can't win politics; you need to attract less honest people too.
- What can you take from it?
- Real political power requires broad coalitions beyond idealists.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can purity win politics?
- Is compromise a vice?
Another view
The term brigands is hyperbolic and implies moral corruption is necessary.
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