TheInspired Sage
Virginia Washington Monument, Capitol Square
Political & Civic Leadership! Attribution disputed
“
The worst illiterate is the political illiterate, he doesn't hear, doesn't speak, nor participates in the political events. He doesn't know the cost of life, the price of the bean, of the fish, of the flour, of the rent, of the shoes and of the medicine, all depends on political decisions. The political illiterate is so stupid that he is proud and swells his chest saying that he hates politics. The imbecile doesn't know that, from his political ignorance is born the prostitute, the abandoned child, and the worst thieves of all, the bad politician, corrupted and flunky of the national and multinational companies.
Bertolt Brecht
— Bertolt Brecht

About this quote

Attributed to
Bertolt Brecht
Attribution status
! Attribution disputed

Widely attributed to Bertolt Brecht; this is a paraphrase of his poem 'The Illiterate' and not a verbatim translation.

Photo: Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Portrait: Kolbe, Jörg (CC BY-SA 3.0 de)

Reflect

Who taught you something like this — and have you thanked them?

The Sage Challenge

Write one sentence in your journal about what this means to you.

Join to journal, save & shareCreate a share image

Watch & listen

Ultimix@6 Dj Kent 06 12 13 A Tribute to Nelson Mandela

Kentaholic RSA·Leaders
Featured in one of the Sage books

Madiba Tribute (Photo Montage of the life of Nelson Mandela)

wartowski·Leaders
Featured in one of the Sage books

Nelson Mandela Tribute: Remembering South Africa's first black president

Onlooker UK·Leaders
Featured in one of the Sage books

More from Bertolt Brecht & related wisdom

“The worst illiterate is the political illiterate, he doesn't hear, doesn't speak, nor participates in the poli…” — Bertolt Brecht · The Inspired Sage