No tyranny is more cruel than the one practised in the…
“No tyranny is more cruel than the one practised in the shadow of the laws and under color of justice - when, so to speak, one proceeds to drown the unfortunate on the very plank by which they had saved themselves. And since a tyrant never lacks instruments for his tyranny, Tiberius always found judges ready to condemn as many people as he might suspect.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Justice can be perverted when law is used as a tool of oppression, allowing tyranny to hide behind legality.
In simple terms: Law can mask tyranny.
Key Takeaway
Guard against misuse of law.
Themes
justice
tyranny
law
power
ethics
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- courtrooms
- legislatures
- authoritarian regimes
- civil society
Key Concepts
political philosophy
legal theory
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards protect legal integrity?
- How does public oversight help?
A Different Perspective
Even fair laws can be twisted by corrupt officials.