"Only he has the calling for politics who is sure that he will not crumble when the world from his point of view is too stupid or base for what he wants to offer. Only he who in the face of all this can say In spite of all! has the calling for politics"

Max Weber examines the essential quality required to engage authentically in politics: steadfastness in the face of frustration and disillusionment. Politics, as Weber presents it, is not for the faint-hearted or for those who expect immediate or broadly acknowledged results. The individual called to politics must confront a world that often appears resistant, even antagonistic, to their ideals and aspirations. The inevitable experience is that one's plans, visions, or reforms will meet with what seems like stupidity, ignorance, or base motives, disappointment is not an exception but a rule.

What distinguishes the true political actor is their capacity for perseverance. The crucial test is whether, when confronted with widespread ignorance or indecency, the individual remains unshaken in their commitment. The temptation to yield, to become cynical, bitter, or paralyzed by the perceived inadequacy of others is powerful. Weber argues that only the individual who can persist, who can stare into the face of futility or opposition and still affirm "In spite of all!", possesses the vocation for politics.

This unwavering stance is not rooted in naive optimism or a belief that the world will eventually conform to one's vision, but rather in a deep inner resolve, a sense of duty or calling that is independent of public recognition or success. The resilience to continue striving, to keep working amidst apparent failure or misunderstanding, marks the mature and qualified political actor. For Weber, politics demands not just intelligence or technical skill but above all, a kind of moral fortitude, a capacity to act and endure, even in a world that may reject, belittle, or scorn one's contribution. It is this spirit of perseverance “in spite of all” that defines the ethical and psychological ground of the political vocation.