Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
A minister is excusable for harm during crises but guilty for failing to do good during peace.
In plain terms
Ministers are forgiven for mistakes in crisis but blamed for doing nothing in peace.
What can you take from it?
Peaceful times demand proactive leadership.

Where it applies

  • government
  • management
  • ethics

Putting it to work

  • evaluating leaders
  • planning policy
  • governance ethics

Questions to consider

  • What defines a good leader?
  • Is inaction ever wrong?

Another view

It assumes leaders have full control even during calm periods.

More from Voltaire

  1. Il est dangereux d'avoir raison dans des choses ou des hommes accredites ont tort.

    Permalink to quote #24
  2. Elle [la nation juive] ose etaler une haine irreconciliable contre toutes les nations; elle se revolte contre tous ses maitres. Toujours superstitieuse, toujou…

    Permalink to quote #26
  3. Si Dieu nous a fait a son image, nous le lui avons bien rendu.

    Permalink to quote #23

Related quotes

  1. The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use - of how to get men of power to live for the public …

    Robert F. KennedyRobert F. Kennedy quote #1
  2. 'Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat.'

    John LehmanJohn Lehman quote #5
  3. 'Los que dejan al rey errar a sabiendas, merecen pena como traidores.'

    Alfonso X of CastileAlfonso X of Castile quote #6