"I rank myself no higher in the scheme of things than a policeman - whose utility would disappear if there were no criminals"

Lord Salisbury's quote is a reflection on the significance of the function of a police officer in society. He is recommending that without crooks, the role of a policeman would be redundant. He is likewise implying that he does rule out himself to be any more important than a police officer, and that his own role in society is no more significant than that of a cop. This is a simple and self-deprecating statement, as Lord Salisbury is a popular figure in British politics. He is suggesting that his own role in society is no more important than that of a cop, and that the work of a police officer is simply as essential as his own. This is a tip that all functions in society are essential, which no one must be considered more crucial than another. Lord Salisbury's quote is a reminder that we need to all be simple and acknowledge the importance of all roles in society.