This quote suggests that it’s unreasonable to expect a politician’s private life to be wholly consistent with their public statements. Politicians, like all individuals, have personal lives that may not always align with their professional personas. They might make promises or statements in public that reflect what they believe is best for the nation or their constituents, even if these don’t exactly mirror their personal beliefs or lifestyle.
In essence, Maugham is pointing out the complexity and potential hypocrisy inherent in politics. He acknowledges the dichotomy between a politician’s private and public life – suggesting that while we might desire consistency, we should also understand the pressures and realities of political life.Applying this idea to today’s world could involve acknowledging and accepting this dichotomy within our leaders. Rather than expecting perfect alignment between a politician’s public persona and private life, we should focus on their actions in office – how well they serve the people and uphold democratic principles.In terms of personal advancement, this quote can be seen as an encouragement to separate our professional roles from our personal lives. Just as politicians may need to make decisions for the greater good that conflict with their personal preferences, so too might individuals in various professions find themselves making choices at work that they wouldn’t necessarily apply in their own lives.
Though, it’s essential not to take this concept too far – using it as an excuse for unethical behavior would be inappropriate. Instead, people should strive for authenticity while understanding there will inevitably be some differences between who they are privately versus publicly due to differing responsibilities and expectations.
