"If we insist that public life be reserved for those whose personal history is pristine, we are not going to get paragons of virtue running our affairs. We will get the very rich, who contract out the messy things in life the very dull, who have nothing to hide and nothing to show and the very devious, expert at covering their tracks and ambitious enough to risk their discovery"

Charles Krauthammer's quote delves into the elaborate characteristics between personal history and public life, providing a critique on the impractical standards frequently imposed on public figures. Krauthammer suggests that if society needs outright purity and flawlessness from those in positions of power, we'll inevitably alter the swimming pool of candidates towards a particular kind of specific, which might not always yield the very best leaders.

First of all, he argues that by expecting a "pristine" personal history, we might inadvertently get rid of numerous capable individuals whose pasts, though imperfect, do not detract from their ability to govern successfully. Genuine human experiences, often marked by errors and development, can provide valuable point of views and durability in leadership. Nevertheless, such individuals may be disqualified by the impractical demand for excellence.

Krauthammer alerts that this persistence will likely lead to leadership controlled by the "extremely rich", "very dull", and "extremely sneaky". The "really rich" can manage to prevent the daily compromises the majority of people browse or obscure their indiscretions through financial methods, therefore appearing 'clean' while potentially doing not have relatability or understanding of common battles.

The "really dull" have led lives so uneventful or public that they present no perceivable defects. Though seemingly unblemished, these prospects may do not have the vitality, development, or compassion that comes from experiencing life's challenges. Their leadership might be defined by mediocrity and inactiveness.

Last but not least, the "extremely sneaky" are those proficient at hiding their past indiscretions and mastering the art of control. Their proficiency in deceptiveness and risk-taking may position them well for power but at the expense of stability and trustworthiness in governance.

In essence, Krauthammer's observation is a cautionary tale about the collateral damage of idealizing flawlessness. By acknowledging the intrinsic imperfections in all people, society can cultivate a more inclusive and efficient type of leadership that values development, discovering, and authentic human experience over unattainable ideals.