Quote#Politics & Power
An officer who is liable to be dismissed upon every change of…
Quote byWilliam Smith O'Brien · 1803–1864
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Chapter XIII. On the Prerogatives of the Executive, p. 140.
English (original)
An officer who is liable to be dismissed upon every change of Government naturally feels little interest in performing faithfully the duties of his situation. His thoughts are rather directed to the necessity of making provision for the contingency of a change. If he be corrupt in principle, he is subjected to a temptation which is almost irresistible.
— William Smith O'Brien
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