Men Quote by Daniel Defoe
“All men would be tyrants if they could.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, 1719
Power tends to corrupt; when given freedom, most people would dominate others.
In simple terms: People become tyrants if they can.
Key Takeaway
Beware the lure of unchecked authority.
Themes
power
corruption
human nature
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- government
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
political philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How would you limit power in your own life?
- What structures prevent tyranny?
A Different Perspective
Power can be mitigated by accountability and empathy.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)