Meaning: This quote by Richard Daley, a prominent politician, draws a parallel between the imperfections of the disciples of Jesus Christ and the imperfections found in city government. The quote suggests that if even the closest followers of Jesus exhibited flaws such as denial, doubt, and betrayal, then it is unrealistic to expect perfection in the governance of a city.

The first part of the quote, "Look at our Lord's disciples. One denied Him; one doubted Him; one betrayed Him," refers to the events leading up to and following the crucifixion of Jesus. The denial refers to Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, who denied knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed, as foretold by Jesus. The doubt likely refers to Thomas, another disciple, who doubted the resurrection of Jesus until he saw and touched the wounds on Jesus' body. The betrayal points to Judas Iscariot, who infamously betrayed Jesus to the religious authorities in exchange for thirty pieces of silver.

By referencing these imperfections among Jesus' disciples, Daley highlights the human tendencies to falter, doubt, and betray, despite their proximity to a figure as revered as Jesus. The implication is that if such imperfections were present among those who were closest to a figure as significant as Jesus, it is unrealistic to expect perfection in any human endeavor, including city government.

The second part of the quote, "If our Lord couldn't have perfection, how are you going to have it in city government?" directly draws the comparison between the imperfections of the disciples and those found in city government. Daley's rhetorical question challenges the notion of expecting flawless governance in a city when even the followers of Jesus, who were directly influenced by his teachings and actions, exhibited imperfections.

This quote can be interpreted as a reflection on the complexities and challenges of governance and leadership. It suggests that the inherent fallibility of human nature makes it unrealistic to expect perfection in any form of governance, including city government. By drawing a parallel between the disciples' imperfections and the expectations placed on city government, Daley may be advocating for a more realistic and pragmatic approach to governance, one that acknowledges and accommodates human imperfections.

In the context of politics and public administration, this quote serves as a reminder to temper expectations and to approach governance with a sense of realism and humility. It acknowledges the inherent limitations of human nature and underscores the need for understanding, forgiveness, and acceptance of imperfections in the realm of governance.

Overall, Richard Daley's quote serves as a thought-provoking commentary on the nature of human imperfection and its relevance to the governance of cities and communities. It challenges the idealized notions of perfection in governance and encourages a more nuanced and realistic approach to understanding and addressing the complexities of city government.