Freedom Quote by Arthur Machen
““And how are such wars to be waged? The wise prince will begin by assuming the enemy to be infinitely corruptible and infinitely stupid, since stupidity and corruption are the chief characteristics of man. So the prince will make himself friends in the very councils of his enemy, and also amongst the populace, bribing the wealthy by proffering to them the opportunity of still greater wealth, and winning the poor by swelling words. For, contrary to the common opinion, it is the wealthy who are greedy of wealth; while the populace are to be gained by talking to them about liberty, their unknown god. And so much are they enchanted by the words liberty, freedom, and such like, that the wise can go to the poor, rob them of what little they have… and win their hearts and their votes forever, if only they will assure them that the treatment which they have received is called liberty.””
About This Quote
A ruler manipulates both elite and masses by exploiting greed and the desire for liberty, using corruption and rhetoric to secure power forever.
In simple terms: Leaders can control people by appealing to greed and liberty.
Key Takeaway
Beware of leaders who promise liberty while exploiting desires.
Themes
politics
manipulation
power
corruption
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
strategic
When to use this quote
- election campaigns
- corporate lobbying
- public policy
- grassroots movements
Key Concepts
realpolitik
propaganda
social engineering
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens recognize manipulation?
- What safeguards protect democratic liberty?
A Different Perspective
Such tactics can backfire if the populace becomes aware.
