Ordinary selves

From "The Oxford Book of Aphorisms"

Everything in our political life tends to hide from us that there is anything wiser than our ordinary selves.

Matthew Arnold, Culture and Anarchy, 1869

The great danger is that our "ordinary selves" in politics is anything less than the highest ethics and morals. Noone gets past themselves in the legislative process without losing his integrity and thus his actions.

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Contempt

From "The Oxford Book of Aphorisms"

In politics nothing is contemptible.

Benjamin Disraeli, Vivian Grey, 1826-7

Thomas Mann said "Everything is politics." I believe Disraeli should have been cynical in mood when he said this, though he is correct. However, there is "good" politics and not so good; a good politician should always strive to hold high ethics and high morals.

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