"The first mistake in public business is the going into it"
- Benjamin Franklin
About this Quote
This quote by Benjamin Franklin is a warning to those who are thinking about entering civil service. He is warning them to believe thoroughly before taking on such a duty. He is suggesting that the first mistake in public organization is the decision to enter it in the very first place. This is due to the fact that civil service is a difficult and demanding task that needs a great deal of devotion and effort. It is not something to be taken lightly. Franklin is recommending that if one is not prepared to make the needed sacrifices and commitments, then they ought to not go into public service. He is also cautioning that if one does get in public service, they need to be aware of the potential risks and be prepared to face them. This quote functions as a pointer that civil service is a severe endeavor and ought to not be entered into gently.
"Raising children is an incredibly hard and risky business in which no cumulative wisdom is gained: each generation repeats the mistakes the previous one made"
"Architects are pretty much high-class whores. We can turn down projects the way they can turn down some clients, but we've both got to say yes to someone if we want to stay in business"
