--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is easier to rule others than to keep…" description: "\"It is easier to rule others than to keep from being ruled oneself.\" — Francois de La Rochefoucauld" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_easier_it-is-easier-to-rule-others-than-to-keep_512672.png" --- # It is easier to rule others than to keep from being ruled… ![“It is easier to rule others than to keep from being ruled oneself.” quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_easier_it-is-easier-to-rule-others-than-to-keep_512672.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_easier_it-is-easier-to-rule-others-than-to-keep_512672.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d1/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_easier_it-is-easier-to-rule-others-than-to-keep_512672.png) > “It is easier to rule others than to keep from being ruled oneself.” [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It’s easier to dominate others than to resist being dominated oneself, exposing human selfishness. **In simple terms:** Dominating others is easier than resisting domination. Key Takeaway Guard against both domination and submission. Themes power human nature self‑interest Mood cautious thoughtful Type philosophical maxim When to use this quote - leadership - personal relationships - government policies Key Concepts Moral philosophy political theory Questions to Reflect On - Why do we prefer ruling over being ruled? - How can societies protect against both? A Different Perspective Freedom requires constant vigilance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Easier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easier/) [Easier Rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easier-rule-270114/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Oneself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oneself/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Rule Ruled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rule-ruled-761549/) [Ruled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruled/) [Ruled Oneself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruled-oneself-4341826/) ## Related quotes > [Generally, I like all islands. 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In jealousy there is more of self-love than of love to another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/jealousy-is-always-born-with-love-but-does-not-die-with-it-in/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [The greatest of all gifts is the power to estimate things at their true worth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-greatest-of-all-gifts-is-the-power-to-estimate-things-at-their/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [We have not strength enough to follow our reason so far as it would carry us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/we-have-not-strength-enough-to-follow-our-reason-so-far-as-it-would/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) [Explore all 1,134 Francois de La Rochefoucauld quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) ## More Easier quotes > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. 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If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-newton-john/when-you-have-a-cavity-in-your-tooth-and-you-let-it-get-worse/) [Olivia Newton-John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-newton-john/) > [Generally, I like all islands. There, it is easier to rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/generally-i-like-all-islands-there-it-is-easier-to-rule/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [It's funny, everything is so much easier when you do it yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carine-roitfeld/it-s-funny-everything-is-so-much-easier-when-you-do-it-yourself/) [Carine Roitfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carine-roitfeld/) > [It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/it-is-easier-to-perceive-error-than-to-find-truth-for-the-former-lies/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I'm truly, 100% guided by the characters and my Muse. 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