"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first"

Ronald Reagan’s wry observation operates on the double meaning of “the first oldest profession,” a phrase commonly understood to refer to prostitution. By comparing politics to prostitution, Reagan alludes to the ways in which politicians sometimes compromise principles, ethics, or honesty for personal gain or advantage, echoing longstanding public cynicism about the nature of political activity.

The comparison is laced with satire, lampooning the transactional nature often associated with governance and political maneuvering. Prostitution, in its most common stereotype, involves people selling intimate or personal aspects of themselves for immediate benefits, frequently at the cost of self-respect or dignity. Similarly, Reagan suggests that politicians may “sell out” their beliefs or interests of their constituents in exchange for power, votes, or personal advancement. The implication is that corruption, duplicity, and self-serving behavior are not anomalies in politics but are as “traditional” and ingrained as the world’s oldest profession.

At the same time, the statement carries a broader commentary on the universality of self-interest and negotiation in human society. Politics, after all, is fundamentally about the distribution of resources and power. The mechanisms for acquiring influence often reward cunning, persuasion, and sometimes, moral flexibility. Reagan’s quip both amuses and unsettles because it acknowledges the shadowy side of democracy, where ideals can be trumped by ambition, and rhetoric can be used as a façade to mask less noble intentions.

By couching criticism in humor, Reagan disarms his audience, making a pointed critique palatable while inviting reflection on the integrity of politicians and the political process as a whole. His remark remains relevant in contemporary discourse, serving as a reminder to scrutinize the motives and actions of those in positions of authority and to remain vigilant against the seductions of expedience over principle.