War has rules, mud wrestling has rules - politics has no rules.

"War has rules, mud wrestling has rules - politics has no rules." These words, spoken by the sharp-tongued and outspoken businessman and politician Ross Perot, are not simply a critique of the political arena—they are a reflection of the harsh, unvarnished truth that underpins the nature of politics. Perot, a man who often found himself at odds with the established norms, sought to cut through the veneer of civility that surrounds political maneuvering, revealing the brutality and ruthlessness that often govern the halls of power. In this statement, he reminds us that in the world of politics, there is no moral code, no set of honorable rules that guide actions. In politics, anything goes—there are no boundaries to the lengths one may go to in pursuit of power.

Let us dwell for a moment on the meaning behind Perot’s words. When he speaks of war, he acknowledges that even in the most violent of struggles, there are rules. The Geneva Conventions, though often ignored or violated, provide some structure to the chaos of conflict, outlining rules of engagement and protections for the vulnerable. Even in the brutality of war, there is a semblance of order, a recognition that warfare must have limits, if only to prevent utter annihilation. The same can be said of mud wrestling, a rough-and-tumble sport where, though there is little elegance or dignity, the combatants agree to certain rules: no eye-gouging, no biting, no blows below the belt. There is at least a shared understanding of boundaries. But politics—the realm of power, negotiation, and decision-making—knows no such limits.

In the ancient world, the Greeks and Romans recognized this truth in the way they conducted their politics. Julius Caesar, the famed Roman general, is perhaps the most vivid example of this harsh reality. When he crossed the Rubicon with his army in 49 BCE, he did so in defiance of the Roman Senate, casting aside any pretense of legality or honor. His bold declaration, “The die is cast,” echoed through history as a reminder that in the pursuit of power, the established rules of society and politics could be shattered in an instant. Caesar, though he laid the foundations for an empire, had no hesitation in using force, manipulation, and deceit to achieve his goals. He, like so many others who would follow, knew that in the world of politics, the rules were only as binding as the will of those in power.

The lesson of Caesar is clear: politics is not governed by the same ethical considerations that guide war or even sport. When power is at stake, those who seek it will bend or break every rule to achieve their ends. Perot's words ring true in the face of this history—politics, unlike war or wrestling, is not a game with boundaries. It is a contest with no rules, where betrayal, manipulation, and deceit are not only acceptable, but often necessary. The ancient courts of power, from the Senate of Rome to the courts of kings and emperors, were places where only the strongest, most cunning, or most ruthless survived. To succeed in politics is to master the art of navigating the labyrinth of lies, backstabbing, and compromise, where the only rule is to win.

Let us now turn our gaze to the more recent history of political maneuvering. Consider the Watergate scandal, a tale of deceit, cover-ups, and the relentless pursuit of power by those at the highest levels of government. In this instance, the Nixon administration took the rule-breaking nature of politics to a new level, engaging in illegal activities to undermine political opponents, then lying and covering up their actions to avoid the consequences. The very fabric of American democracy was shaken, not by war, but by a political scandal that demonstrated just how far politicians would go to protect their interests. The impeachment of Richard Nixon was not merely about the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters—it was about the moral decay at the heart of politics, the recognition that in the political realm, there are no sacred rules, only the will to retain power at all costs.

What, then, can we learn from Perot’s wisdom? The lesson is not one of despair, but of clarity. We must understand that in politics, as in all matters of power, there is a need for vigilance. The rules that govern us, the systems we rely on to ensure fairness, must be protected—not because they are perfect, but because they are the only safeguard against the corruption that thrives when unchecked ambition runs rampant. In the political realm, power often outweighs principle, and it is easy for those who seek to shape the world to bend the rules in their favor. But it is in our hands to demand transparency, accountability, and honor in those who represent us. We must challenge the system, not out of cynicism, but out of a desire to restore the integrity that should govern our institutions.

In our own lives, we must recognize the nature of power and politics and apply the wisdom of Perot's statement to our personal actions. There are times when we will face choices in which the rules are not clear, where the lines between right and wrong may blur. It is then that we must remember that while rules may guide us in certain aspects of life, in politics—whether personal, professional, or public—there are often no rules at all. We must be prepared to face the complexities of the world with the clarity of understanding, the strength of conviction, and the resolve to act with integrity. Perot's words remind us that in the realm of power, the game is often ruthless—but it is through honor and principle that we may yet find a way to navigate the murky waters of politics, both in the world and in our daily lives.