Famous quote by Wilfrid Laurier

"For us, sons of France, political sentiment is a passion; while, for the Englishmen, politics are a question of business"

About this Quote

Wilfrid Laurier draws a sharp distinction between the political cultures of France and England by highlighting the emotional intensity with which French citizens approach politics compared to the pragmatic, business-like manner characteristic of English political engagement. For the French, politics involves deep-seated ideals, passions, and identity. It is an arena where profound values, national pride, and even existential questions are contested, and individuals become deeply invested in the outcomes. The political sphere is not simply about governance or administration; it becomes a stage for expressing collective aspirations, grievances, and hopes. Politics, therefore, stirs the heart and imagination, infusing public life with energy and volatility. This passion can lead to revolutionary movements, grand ideological debates, and public demonstrations, as the people view their own political fate as interconnected with the nation's soul.

In contrast, Laurier portrays English political life as being informed primarily by pragmatism and practical concerns. For the English, politics serves a function much like that of business: it is a means of managing affairs, negotiating interests, and finding workable compromises. Politics is approached with a calculating, dispassionate rationality; the aim is efficiency, stability, and incremental progress rather than dramatic change or ideological purity. Public debate is framed in terms of cost-benefit analysis, policies are discussed with attention to their economic or administrative impact, and there is a general distrust of grand gestures or rhetoric untethered from practical reality.

Laurier’s observation points to how national character and historical experience shape the very essence of political life. Where France’s history of revolutions and philosophical fervor prompts politics to be an emotional pursuit, the English tradition of gradual reform and parliamentary procedure fosters a more measured and utilitarian approach. This distinction underscores not only different methods but also different meanings attached to politics; for some, it is a matter of the heart, for others, a matter of business.

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Canada Flag This quote is written / told by Wilfrid Laurier between November 20, 1841 and February 17, 1919. He/she was a famous Statesman from Canada. The author also have 18 other quotes.
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