If there were no Tories, I am afraid he would invent them.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The text suggests a political figure invents opposition to justify their own position.
- In plain terms
- A politician may invent enemies if they do not exist.
- What can you take from it?
- Opposition can be manufactured for political gain.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do leaders need enemies?
- How is opposition created?
Another view
The quote implies intent without proving the opposition is fake.
More from William Ewart Gladstone
What you say about Gladstone is most just. What restlessness! What vanity! And what unhappiness must be his! Easy to say he is mad. It looks like it. My theory…
Permalink to quote #42 Gladstone will soon have it all his own way and whenever he gets my place we shall have strange doings.
Permalink to quote #44 He speaks to Me as if I was a public meeting.
Permalink to quote #41
Related quotes
We had no shape Because he never took sides; And no sides Because he never allowed them to take shape.
William Lyon Mackenzie KingWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King quote #8 You can always tell when Bush is in trouble. He always brings out 9/11. 9/11 is the cudgel that he waves. As far as he's concerned, it's 'Open Sesame'. 9/11 is…
Jon StewartJon Stewart quote #30 Now I can go back to being ruthless again.
Robert F. KennedyRobert F. Kennedy quote #3