"La política es la conducción de los asuntos públicos para ventaja privada"
— Ambrose Bierce
Simplified Meaning:
Sometimes, people in politics use their power not just to help others but also to benefit themselves. This often means that decisions and actions they take are influenced by their personal gain rather than the good of the public. Imagine a city mayor who approves the construction of a big shopping mall. Instead of doing this because it's good for the community, the mayor does it because he owns land nearby and will make a lot of money if property values go up. This behavior shows a conflict of interest where private benefits overshadow public responsibilities. To avoid this in our own lives, we should be watchful and call for transparency from leaders, demanding that their actions truly serve the common good and not just their financial interests.