[A]s it is impossible that any man endowed with rational…
![“[A]s it is impossible that any man endowed with rational faculties, and being in a state of freedom, should willingly agree, without some motive of love or friendship, absolutely to sacrifice his own interest to that of another; it becomes necessary to impose upon him, to persuade him, that his…” quote by Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/825/henry-fielding-1358_freedom_a-s-it-is-impossible-that-any-man-endowe_2361465.jpg)
““[A]s it is impossible that any man endowed with rational faculties, and being in a state of freedom, should willingly agree, without some motive of love or friendship, absolutely to sacrifice his own interest to that of another; it becomes necessary to impose upon him, to persuade him, that his own good is designed, and that he will be a gainer by coming into those schemes, which are, in reality, calculated for his destruction. And this, if I mistake not, is the very essence of that excellent art, called the art of politics.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Politics is portrayed as a craft that manipulates rational individuals by appealing to self‑interest, love, or friendship, often disguising harmful schemes as beneficial.
In simple terms: Politics manipulates rational people by appealing to self‑interest.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden motives in political persuasion.
Themes
politics
manipulation
ethics
human nature
power
rationality
Mood
cautious
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
critical.
When to use this quote
- voting
- negotiations
- policy debates
- organizational leadership
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
social contract
self‑interest
coercion
public good
leadership
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you distinguish genuine public good from self‑serving political rhetoric?
- When might love or friendship truly override self‑interest?
A Different Perspective
The view assumes rational actors always need self‑interest, ignoring altruism and collective action.