And is it not true that in like manner a leader of the…
“And is it not true that in like manner a leader of the people who, getting control of a docile mob, does not withhold his hand from the shedding of tribal blood, but by the customary unjust accusations brings a citizen into court and assassinates him, blotting out a human life, and with unhallowed tongue and lips that have tasted kindred blood, banishes and slays and hints at the abolition of debts and the partition of lands.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Leaders may manipulate crowds, falsely accuse, and eliminate dissent, using rhetoric to justify oppression.
In simple terms: Leaders can abuse power through lies.
Key Takeaway
Question authority’s motives.
Themes
politics
power
manipulation
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- elections
- legal systems
- activism
- public discourse
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
rhetoric
justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens resist such manipulation?
- What safeguards protect against abuse?
A Different Perspective
Complex historical context may differ.