The greatest art of a politician is to render vice serviceable to the cause of virtue.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Politicians excel when they turn immoral actions into tools that serve moral goals.
- In plain terms
- Good politicians make bad things work for good causes.
- What can you take from it?
- Use vice strategically to promote virtue.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is it ever acceptable to use immoral tactics for moral ends?
Another view
It can justify unethical means.
More from Henry, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke St John
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