"A statesman cannot afford to be a moralist"

This quote by Will Durant recommends that a statesman, or a leader, need to not be also concentrated on morality when choosing. Instead, they must concentrate on what is best for the state or nation they are leading. This does not suggest that a statesman needs to disregard morality entirely, however rather that they should not be as well concentrated on it. A statesman needs to understand the moral implications of their decisions, yet they ought to also take into consideration the useful ramifications as well as the prospective advantages for the state or nation. A statesman needs to have the ability to make decisions that are both sensible and also moral, however they must not be so focused on morality that it stops them from making the most effective decisions for the state or nation.