Aggressor Quote by Benjamin Tucker
“He who attempts to control another is a governor, an aggressor, an invader; and the nature of such invasion is not changed, whether it is made by one man upon another man ... or by all other men upon one man, after the manner of a modern democracy.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Nature of Power and Democracy, 1895
Attempting to control others is an invasion that persists regardless of who does it, even in modern democracies.
In simple terms: Control is an invasion.
Key Takeaway
Beware of power that invades others.
Themes
authority
freedom
politics
ethics
democracy
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government policy
- activism
- community organizing
- personal relationships
- legal systems
Key Concepts
coercion
liberty
social contract
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does modern democracy prevent or enable invasion?
- What forms does personal invasion take today?
A Different Perspective
Power can be exercised subtly, not just overtly.
![“Undertaking initially to protect its citizens against aggression, [government] has often itself become … a far greater aggressor.” quote by John Hospers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e84/john-hospers-30604_aggression_undertaking-initially-to-protect-its-cit_2534835.jpg)
