--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All it takes to get elected in…" description: "\"All it takes to get elected in twenty-first-century America is a mob of frightened sheep and a wolf with a nice smile,\" — Greg Bear" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/295/greg-bear-12310_america_all-it-takes-to-get-elected-in-twenty-fi_1880090.jpg" --- # All it takes to get elected in twenty-first-century… ![“All it takes to get elected in twenty-first-century America is a mob of frightened sheep and a wolf with a nice smile,” quote by Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/295/greg-bear-12310_america_all-it-takes-to-get-elected-in-twenty-fi_1880090.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/295/greg-bear-12310_america_all-it-takes-to-get-elected-in-twenty-fi_1880090.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/295/greg-bear-12310_america_all-it-takes-to-get-elected-in-twenty-fi_1880090.jpg) > “All it takes to get elected in twenty-first-century America is a mob of frightened sheep and a wolf with a nice smile,” [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Politics reduced to manipulation: fearful masses and charismatic deceivers dominate elections. **In simple terms:** Elections rely on fear and charm. Key Takeaway Question power structures. Themes politics manipulation leadership Mood critical concerned Type analytical political When to use this quote - campaign strategy - public discourse - voter education Key Concepts mass psychology authoritarianism media influence Questions to Reflect On - How can informed citizenry counter fear? - What role does empathy play in leadership? A Different Perspective Assumes all voters are irrational. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/century/) [Elected Century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elected-century-2649202/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Frightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frightened/) [Frightened Sheep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frightened-sheep-2649201/) [Lion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lion/) [Mob Frightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mob-frightened-2649203/) [Nice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice/) [Nice smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice-smile/) [Sheep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sheep/) [Sheep Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sheep-wolf-897644/) [Takes Elected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/takes-elected-2649204/) [Twenties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twenties/) ## Related quotes > [Change is a sheep in wolf's clothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-lacroix/change-is-a-sheep-in-wolf-s-clothing/) [Darren LaCroix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-lacroix/) > [“I called you a coward! You're a fucking sheep in wolf's clothing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-bliler/i-called-you-a-coward-you-re-a-fucking-sheep-in-wolf-s-clothing/) [Susan Bliler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-bliler/) > [The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-shepherd-drives-the-wolf-from-the-sheep-s-throat-for-which-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Why be the sheep when you can be the wolf?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-l-lafevers/why-be-the-sheep-when-you-can-be-the-wolf/) [R.L. LaFevers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-l-lafevers/) > [“Sometimes, you just gotta be the weird one. It's always the weird one that stands out anyway, right? Nobody cares about the sheep; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-m-stunich/sometimes-you-just-gotta-be-the-weird-one-it-s-always-the-weird-one/) [C.M. Stunich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-m-stunich/) > [“I know people might think I'm strong or tough, but I'm really not. I'm a sheep in wolf's clothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-frey/i-know-people-might-think-i-m-strong-or-tough-but-i-m-really-not-i-m/) [James Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-frey/) > [I don't like girls who wear lots of make-up and you can't see their face. Some girls are beautiful but insecure and look much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-bieber/i-don-t-like-girls-who-wear-lots-of-make-up-and-you-can-t-see-their/) [Justin Bieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-bieber/) > [“There’s something you need to know, little goddess,” he whispered, turning his face so his breath tickled my ear. It felt really good. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaitlin-bevis/there-s-something-you-need-to-know-little-goddess-he-whispered/) [Kaitlin Bevis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaitlin-bevis/) > [“Joe asks how long they've been there one of them says fuck off another says a week a third calls him a drunk homeless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-frey/joe-asks-how-long-they-ve-been-there-one-of-them-says-fuck-off/) [James Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-frey/) > [No smile is as beautiful as the one that struggles through tears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/no-smile-is-as-beautiful-as-the-one-that-struggles-through-tears/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [“As I got closer to him, I could see that he was right. The years had not been kind to him. He was heavier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-schoffman/as-i-got-closer-to-him-i-could-see-that-he-was-right-the-years-had/) [Jamie Schoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-schoffman/) > [Sometimes when I'm being photographed, I hear the voice of this photographer who told me when I was about six while he was taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-goreski/sometimes-when-i-m-being-photographed-i-hear-the-voice-of-this/) [Brad Goreski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-goreski/) > [“Somehow I'd still managed to go all retarded at the sight of some handsome asshole with a nice smile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-roberts/somehow-i-d-still-managed-to-go-all-retarded-at-the-sight-of-some/) [C.J. Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-roberts/) > [Way hag you face when your in the world , it would be nice if you could smile when you know you've got your cry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/way-hag-you-face-when-your-in-the-world-it-would-be-nice-if-you-could/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“He smiled when he saw me . . . and it was the nice smile that included his eyes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/he-smiled-when-he-saw-me-and-it-was-the-nice-smile-that-included-his/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) ## More by Greg Bear > [Man is the poet who kills, Woman the angel who eats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/man-is-the-poet-who-kills-woman-the-angel-who-eats/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [Life on earth is hard. Competition for the necessities of life is fierce. How ridiculous to believe that the law of harsh survival would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/life-on-earth-is-hard-competition-for-the-necessities-of-life-is/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [It's kind of a misnomer about science fiction that science fiction is about anything other than people. It's about people doing stuff, sometimes doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/it-s-kind-of-a-misnomer-about-science-fiction-that-science-fiction-is/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [“Nature is a bitch goddess.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/nature-is-a-bitch-goddess/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [“The sorrow never dies; it is merely pearled by time. No”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/the-sorrow-never-dies-it-is-merely-pearled-by-time-no/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [Sometimes I feel like a beetle crawling through a fusion power plant. I can feel a certain amount, see a certain amount, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/sometimes-i-feel-like-a-beetle-crawling-through-a-fusion-power-plant/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [Welcome to the truth of our world-a massive seed shot out to the stars, filled with deadly children. A seed designed to slay everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/welcome-to-the-truth-of-our-world-a-massive-seed-shot-out-to-the/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [Apocalypse could not be repealed by the democratic process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/apocalypse-could-not-be-repealed-by-the-democratic-process/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [“BBQ Grills There are a number of gas grills which might be obtainable to the market. Grill professionals from different manufactures point out that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/bbq-grills-there-are-a-number-of-gas-grills-which-might-be-obtainable/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [“You seem to like helping, taking care of people," he said. "That is admirable." "You enjoy being nurtured?" "Well, that isn’t all you promise.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/you-seem-to-like-helping-taking-care-of-people-he-said-that-is/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [For years, even before 9/11, I've been trying to warn that the threat from amateur biolabs will ultimately turn out to be far more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/for-years-even-before-9-11-i-ve-been-trying-to-warn-that-the-threat/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [Nothing is lost. Nothing is forgotten.It was in the blood, the flesh,And now it is forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/nothing-is-lost-nothing-is-forgotten-it-was-in-the-blood-the-flesh/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [To fight an enemy properly, you have to know what they are. Ignorance is defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/to-fight-an-enemy-properly-you-have-to-know-what-they-are-ignorance/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [“the children were no longer fast gods, but pigeons in the head of a very quiet, dark bomb,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/the-children-were-no-longer-fast-gods-but-pigeons-in-the-head-of-a/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [Once, poets were magicians. Poets were strong, stronger than warriors or kings — stronger than old hapless gods. And they will be strong once again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/once-poets-were-magicians-poets-were-strong-stronger-than-warriors-or/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) [Explore all 55 Greg Bear quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. 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