Men who find themselves late are never sure. They are all the things the civics books tell us the good citizen should be: partisans but never zealots, respectors of the facts which attend each situation but never benders of those facts, uncomfortable in positions of leadership but rarely unable to turn down a responsibility once it has been offered . . . or thrust upon them. They make the best leaders in a democracy because they are unlikely to fall in love with power.

Summary

This quote highlights the qualities of men who frequently find themselves running late. Such individuals possess a level of uncertainty and hesitation, embodying the characteristics claimed to be ideal in good citizens. They are not extreme in their beliefs, respecting and acknowledging the facts in any given situation. Although they may feel uncomfortable in positions of leadership, they seldom reject responsibilities when presented to them. These individuals make excellent leaders in a democratic society because their latecomer nature prevents them from becoming infatuated with power.

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