The double pleasure of pulling down an opponent, and of raising oneself, is the charm of a politician's life.
 Anthony Trollope, Phineas Redux (1874). copy citation

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Author Anthony Trollope
Source Phineas Redux
Topic politics rivalry raising
Date 1874
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18640/18640-h/18640-h.htm

Context

“It was doubted whether such a political proposition had ever before been made in England. It was a simple avowal that on this occasion men were to be regarded, and not measures. No doubt such is the case, and ever has been the case, with the majority of active politicians. The double pleasure of pulling down an opponent, and of raising oneself, is the charm of a politician's life. And by practice this becomes extended to so many branches, that the delights,—and also the disappointments,—are very widespread. Great satisfaction is felt by us because by some lucky conjunction of affairs our man, whom we never saw, is made Lord-Lieutenant of a county, instead of another man, of whom we know as little.” source

Meaning and analysis

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