"Political rivals attacked me. I was savagely beaten. I was kicked in the face and I lost my eye as a result"

This quote by Jean-Marie Le Pen speaks to the violence and cruelty of politics. It is a plain pointer of the lengths to which political competitors will go to get an advantage. Le Pen's experience of being savagely beaten and losing an eye as an outcome is a testimony to the physical and psychological trauma that can be caused in the pursuit of power. It is a tip that politics can be a dangerous game, and that those who participate in it should be prepared to deal with the effects. It also acts as an alerting to those who would seek to utilize violence to acquire a benefit, as it reveals that such methods can have major and enduring consequences. Ultimately, this quote works as a suggestion of the significance of civility and respect in political discourse, and of the need to guarantee that all voices are heard and respected.