I say no man ever before slew his friend mouthful of…
““I say no man ever before slew his friend mouthful of words.” “And I say it has happened many times before. Consider the Assassinations, Thomas, you who are something of a critic of historical theses. Consider whether the Heroes have not more often been assassinated by friends than by enemies; consider whether some of them have not even been assassinated with their own consent.” “I don’t consent.” “If everything else has failed, if a program has fallen for such a silly nothing, if the hero would make a better hero when dead, then he was made a dead hero by his friends, for his own sake and the sake of his program. I could name a dozen clear cases of this, but I won’t; strong partisan feelings are still involved in some of them after the centuries. -””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker suggests that friends often betray heroes, sometimes even with the hero's own consent, turning them into martyrs for a cause.
In simple terms: Friends can betray heroes, even with the hero's consent, making them martyrs.
Key Takeaway
Beware of betrayal from those close to you.
Themes
betrayal
heroism
politics
trust
power
Mood
cautious
reflective
skeptical
Type
philosophical
political
literary
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- revolutionary movements
- personal relationships
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
moral ambiguity
political intrigue
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Who in your life could become a betrayer?
- Can betrayal ever be justified?
A Different Perspective
Even trusted allies may act against you for perceived greater good.