Passage

A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, learns more from his opponents than from his fervent supporters. For his supporters will push him to disaster unless his opponents show him where the dangers are. So, if he is wise, he will often pray to be delivered from his friends, because they will ruin him. But though it hurts, he ought also to pray never to be left without opponents; for they keep him on the path of reason and good sense. The national unity of free people depends upon a sufficiently even balance of political power to make it impracticable for the administration to be arbitrary and for opposition to be revolutionary and irreconcilable.

QUESTION

CSAT

Medium

Comprehension

Prelims 2025

Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the author of the passage?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Statement A is incorrect: The passage says that without opposition, the administration may become arbitrary, not more responsible.

Statement B is incorrect: The passage warns against opposition becoming revolutionary and irreconcilable; it does not advocate for revolutionaries in opposition.

Statement C is incorrect: The passage does not say that rulers need opposition for their survival but for guidance and restraint.

Statement D is correct: The passage clearly conveys that opposition is essential to maintain balance of political power and ensure reasonable and good governance in a democracy.