Deceive Quote by Eldridge Cleaver
““I have tried to mislead you. I am not humble at all. I have no humility and I do not fear you in the least. If I pretend to be shy, if I appear to hesitate, it is only a sham to deceive. By playing the humble part, I sucker my fellow men in and seduce them of their trust. And then, if it suits my advantage, I lower the boom – mercilessly. I lied when I stated that I had no sense of myself. I am very well aware of my style. My vanity is as vast as the scope of a dream, my heart is that of a tyrant, my arm is the arm of the Executioner. It is only the failure of my plots that I fear.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview, 1970s, null
The speaker admits to deliberate deception, using false humility to manipulate others for personal gain, revealing a ruthless, self‑aware vanity.
In simple terms: He pretends to be humble to trick people and then exploits them.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and guard against manipulative false humility.
Themes
deception
vanity
power
trust
Mood
cautious
skeptical
Type
warning
critical
When to use this quote
- political negotiation
- personal relationships
- leadership
- media interactions
Key Concepts
manipulation
psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you detect false humility in others?
- What motivates someone to use deception for advantage?
A Different Perspective
His tactics may backfire if others see through the act.
![“I never left my roots. You can identify me as someone that didn't become high and mighty. Humility is a defining [trait] all of us can forever learn, and I try to be as humble as anyone can be.” quote by Serena Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/517/serena-williams-1589_defining_i-never-left-my-roots-you-can-identify-m_17115.jpg)
