Whoever takes it upon himself to establish a commonwealth…
“Whoever takes it upon himself to establish a commonwealth and prescribe laws must presuppose all men naturally bad, and that they will yield to their innate evil passions as often as they can do so with safety.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A ruler must assume people are inherently selfish and will act on base impulses unless controlled.
In simple terms: Leaders think people are naturally bad and need strict rules.
Key Takeaway
Expect self‑interest and set firm boundaries.
Themes
politics
human nature
authority
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government formation
- law drafting
- leadership training
Key Concepts
philosophy
realpolitik
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it always necessary to distrust others?
- What are the limits of strict control?
A Different Perspective
Overly cynical views may ignore altruism.