All appointments hurt. Five friends are made cold or hostile for every appointment; no new friends are made. All patronage is perilous to men of real ability or merit. It aids only those who lack other claims to public support.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hayes states that government appointments often ruin friendships. He warns that patronage harms ability and merit.
- In plain terms
- Giving jobs to friends hurts them and others, and doesn't build real talent.
- What can you take from it?
- Patronage harms merit and relationships.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does loyalty hurt ability?
- Who should get jobs?
Another view
It idealizes pure merit in a system built on influence.
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