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

The passage argues that a statesman learns more from opponents, who show dangers and keep him on the path of reason, than from supporters who might lead him to disaster. It emphasizes that national unity relies on a balance of political power, preventing arbitrary administration and revolutionary opposition. Analyzing the options: A) Without opposition parties, the administration in a democracy gets to become more responsible. Incorrect. The passage states the opposite: opponents keep the statesman on the path of reason and good sense, implying that without them, the administration would become less responsible and potentially arbitrary. B) Democracy needs to have revolutionaries in opposition to keep the government alert. Incorrect. The passage explicitly states that the balance of power makes it "impracticable... for opposition to be revolutionary and irreconcilable." This suggests that revolutionary opposition is undesirable, not needed. C) Rulers in a democracy need the support of opposition for their political survival. Incorrect. The passage highlights the *corrective* and *balancing* role of opposition, not that rulers need their *support* for survival. Opposition, by its nature, challenges the ruling party. D) In a democracy, the opposition is indispensable for the balance of political power and good governance. Correct. The passage clearly conveys that opponents are crucial ("pray never to be left without opponents") because they "keep him on the path of reason and good sense" (good governance) and contribute to an "even balance of political power" which prevents arbitrary rule. This option synthesizes all the critical messages.