"One has to be a lowbrow, a bit of a murderer, to be a politician, ready and willing to see people sacrificed, slaughtered, for the sake of an idea, whether a good one or a bad one"

In this quote, Henry Miller is recommending that in order to be a successful politician, one should have specific qualities that may be considered unfavorable. He uses the term "lowbrow" to explain someone who is not fine-tuned or cultured, implying that a politician should be willing to attract the masses rather than the elite. He likewise compares a political leader to a murderer, suggesting that they need to be willing to make challenging and frequently questionable choices that might lead to damage to others. This sacrifice is viewed as needed for the pursuit of a concept, regardless of its morality. Miller's words highlight the extreme reality of politics and the sacrifices that should be made in order to achieve one's goals.