Evil Quote by Aesop
“Those who voluntarily put power into the hands of a tyrant ... must not wonder if it be at last turned against themselves.”
About This Quote
Source Fable: The Farmer and the Viper, 6th century BC
People who give authority to a tyrant eventually suffer the consequences of that power.
In simple terms: Giving power to tyrants leads to self‑harm.
Key Takeaway
Beware who you empower.
Themes
power
tyranny
consequences
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
moral
political
When to use this quote
- government
- leadership
- activism
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
political theory
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- Who have you given power to that might betray you?
- How can you safeguard against abuse of authority?
A Different Perspective
Power can be misused, and not all tyrants are obvious initially.
![“[It is a basic principle of a tyrant] to unarm his people of weapons, money and all means whereby they resist his power.” quote by Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/85b/walter-raleigh-4068_basic-principles_it-is-a-basic-principle-of-a-tyrant-to-u_111241.jpg)
![“Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to [be] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is in play. Society has no obligation to try to rehabilitate evil.” quote by Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b89/bill-o-reilly-1019_destroyed_evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be_3597.jpg)
