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About this quote

What does it mean?
Politicians say one thing when in opposition and another when in power to avoid implementing impossible promises.
In plain terms
Politicians change what they say once they get in power so they do not have to do the impossible things they promised.
What can you take from it?
Be skeptical of opposition promises.

Where it applies

  • voting
  • policy critique
  • political discourse

Putting it to work

  • compare opposition pledges to actions
  • demand accountability

Questions to consider

  • Do leaders keep opposition promises?
  • What guides a politician's shift in stance?

Another view

Not all politicians change views once in power.

More from John Galsworthy

  1. A man of action forced into a state of thought is unhappy until he can get out of it.

    Permalink to quote #19
  2. One's eyes are what one is, one's mouth what one becomes.

    Permalink to quote #21
  3. If you do not think about the future, you cannot have one.

    Permalink to quote #18

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