--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For, contrary to the common opinion, it…" description: "\"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, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c32/arthur-machen-11940_common_for-contrary-to-the-common-opinion-it-is_2623978.jpg" --- # For, contrary to the common opinion, it is the wealthy who… ![“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…” quote by Arthur Machen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c32/arthur-machen-11940_common_for-contrary-to-the-common-opinion-it-is_2623978.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c32/arthur-machen-11940_common_for-contrary-to-the-common-opinion-it-is_2623978.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c32/arthur-machen-11940_common_for-contrary-to-the-common-opinion-it-is_2623978.jpg) > “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, dismiss them with a hearty kick, and win their hearts and their votes for ever, if only they will assure them that the treatment which they have received is called liberty.” [Arthur Machen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-machen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The powerful manipulate the masses by promising liberty while exploiting their greed and ignorance. **In simple terms:** Leaders use liberty to control people. Key Takeaway Question promises of freedom critically. Themes politics manipulation power greed Mood cautious skeptical Type critical political When to use this quote - elections - public speeches - advertising - policy debates Key Concepts propaganda psychology economic disparity Questions to Reflect On - What signs indicate a leader’s true motives? - How can citizens protect themselves from manipulation? A Different Perspective Not all appeals to liberty are deceptive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Called Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-liberty-810282/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Enchanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enchanted/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Greedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greedy/) [Greedy Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greedy-wealth-2134454/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Hearty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hearty/) [Kicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kicks/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Opinion Wealthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion-wealthy-2134455/) [Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor/) [Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking/) [Treatment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treatment/) [Vote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vote/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) [Wealthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealthy/) [Wealthy Greedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealthy-greedy-2134453/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) [Words Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-liberty-1820547/) ## Related quotes > [“And how are such wars to be waged? The wise prince will begin by assuming the enemy to be infinitely corruptible and infinitely stupid,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-machen/and-how-are-such-wars-to-be-waged-the-wise-prince-will-begin-by/) [Arthur Machen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-machen/) > [“Wouldn't it be nice, for once, to find a world which was at peace with itself. No matter how always those few wanted more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-kilworth/wouldn-t-it-be-nice-for-once-to-find-a-world-which-was-at-peace-with/) [Garry Kilworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-kilworth/) > [In ten phrases, the ten commandments express the essential of life. And these three words--liberty, equality, and fraternity--do just as much. 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