Blood Quote by Daniel Defoe
“Nature has left this tincture in the blood, That all men would be tyrants if they could.”
About This Quote
Source Book: An Essay on the Great Plague, 1721
Human nature contains a latent desire for power that can become tyranny when unchecked.
In simple terms: People may become tyrants if they can.
Key Takeaway
Guard against unchecked power.
Themes
politics
human nature
power
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- government leadership
- organizational management
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you check personal ambitions?
- What structures prevent tyranny?
A Different Perspective
Power can be abused even with good intentions.
![“T]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people - the new covenant, blood-bought people of God. That's why Paul said, 'Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Eph. 5:25). He didn't give himself up for a…” quote by Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a4/mark-dever-3175_blood_t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-bu_3297.jpg)
