Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many
Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book.
Hear these words, O children of time, and know their irony. When Ronald Reagan, once a man of the stage and later a ruler of nations, spoke, he cast light upon the dual face of politics. He declared: “Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book.” Thus he revealed both the grandeur and the folly of the path that leads to power. It is a road paved with glory for some, and with clever justifications for others.
For in the realm of politics, success brings honor, wealth, and renown. Kings are crowned, senators are lauded, and leaders are carried upon the shoulders of their people. The rewards are not only of gold and treasure but of influence, the power to shape destiny itself. Yet failure does not always spell doom. A fallen ruler can cloak disgrace in words, spinning memory into parchment. The book becomes a shield, a way to preserve honor in the chronicles of history, even when deeds themselves betrayed trust.
Behold the example of Richard Nixon, whose hand was stained by the scandal of Watergate. He resigned in shame, the only president of his land to step down. Yet he did not vanish into silence. Instead, he wielded the pen, writing books that sought to frame his vision of the world, to restore fragments of dignity through words when power had slipped from his grasp. Though dishonored, he found a second life in the realm of authorship. In this, Reagan’s jestful truth is revealed: failure in politics is not the end, for the art of storytelling can turn ruin into legacy.
Yet, O seekers of wisdom, let us not mistake this jest for pure cynicism. Hidden within lies a lesson: the life of politics is a stage, and those who enter must play their roles with both courage and cunning. Glory may be genuine, but disgrace need not be final. The ability to rewrite one’s image is itself a form of survival, a kind of immortality granted to those who wield the quill after the sword is lost.
Therefore, learn this truth and pass it on: the profession of politics is neither wholly noble nor wholly corrupt. It is a mirror of mankind itself—glorious in triumph, flawed in failure, but always capable of rebirth through the telling of stories. The wise leader will see that honor lies not only in rewards or words, but in serving with integrity, so that neither book nor excuse need wash away disgrace. For the greatest legacy is not written in ink, but in the hearts of the people.
PVMinh Hoang Phan Van
Reagan’s comment is both humorous and a bit disturbing. If the profession of politics is so focused on rewards—whether through success or failure—what does that say about the priorities of those in power? How does this mindset impact the decisions that are made, especially in terms of public interest versus personal interest? Is politics too often seen as a game, where the real stakes of leadership are overlooked in favor of career advancement?
TTDinh thi thanh thao
Reagan’s quote highlights an interesting aspect of politics: the potential for personal gain regardless of whether you succeed or fail. But does this create a culture where politicians are more focused on their personal brand rather than actual governance? How can we expect true change if the system rewards both success and failure with the same amount of attention and profit? Shouldn’t the consequences of political actions be more serious?
NTNguyen thi nguyet thu
I think there’s an underlying point in this quote about the power dynamics in politics. Success in politics can lead to incredible rewards, but failure seems to have its own set of perks too, through writing books and making money. Does this cheapen the profession? Shouldn't the focus be on serving the people rather than seeking personal gain? How do we ensure politicians are in it for the right reasons instead of just the rewards?
VKYen Vu Kim
Reagan’s words are funny, but there’s something about them that’s a little unsettling too. Is politics really just a career of personal gain with the possibility of writing a book when things go south? Shouldn’t politicians be driven by a deeper sense of duty, service, and ethics rather than the rewards or the chance to profit off of failure? How much of this mentality affects the decisions they make while in office?
TNNguyen Hoang Thien Nhan
I find this quote interesting because it almost minimizes the weight of the political profession by pointing out the rewards for success and the easy 'out' for failure. But is this the kind of mentality we want in our leaders? Does it suggest that politicians aren’t held accountable for their actions, since they can always turn a poor reputation into a profitable opportunity? How does this affect public trust in politicians?