--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the Many are rulers, it cannot but…" description: "\"“When the Many are rulers, it cannot but be that, again, knavery is bred in the state; but now the knaves do not grow to hate one another—they become f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03c/herodotus-2844_friendship_when-the-many-are-rulers-it-cannot-but-b_540569.jpg" --- # When the Many are rulers, it cannot but be that, again… ![“When the Many are rulers, it cannot but be that, again, knavery is bred in the state; but now the knaves do not grow to hate one another—they become fast friends. For they combine together to maladminister the public concerns. This goes on until one man takes charge of affairs for the Many and…” quote by Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03c/herodotus-2844_friendship_when-the-many-are-rulers-it-cannot-but-b_540569.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03c/herodotus-2844_friendship_when-the-many-are-rulers-it-cannot-but-b_540569.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03c/herodotus-2844_friendship_when-the-many-are-rulers-it-cannot-but-b_540569.jpg) > ““When the Many are rulers, it cannot but be that, again, knavery is bred in the state; but now the knaves do not grow to hate one another—they become fast friends. For they combine together to maladminister the public concerns. This goes on until one man takes charge of affairs for the Many and puts a stop to the knaves. As a result of this, he wins the admiration of the Many, and, being so admired, lo! you have your despot again;”” [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When the majority rules, corruption spreads as people become allies in misgovernance, eventually leading to a single strong ruler who is welcomed as a savior but becomes a despot. **In simple terms:** Mass rule can breed corruption, leading to a despot. Key Takeaway Beware of majority rule that enables corruption. Themes politics corruption leadership power democracy Mood cautious critical reflective Type political warning historical When to use this quote - elections - public policy - community decision making - grassroots movements Key Concepts social dynamics collective responsibility authoritarianism Questions to Reflect On - How can societies prevent the rise of despotism from majority rule? - What safeguards protect against collective corruption? A Different Perspective If institutions are weak, the cycle may repeat despite vigilance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Knaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knaves/) [Knaves Grow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knaves-grow-4520619/) [Rulers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rulers/) [Rulers Knavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rulers-knavery-4520617/) [State Knaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-knaves-4520618/) ## Related quotes > [History - an account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barth/history-an-account-mostly-false-of-events-mostly-unimportant/) [John Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barth/) > [The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, all on a hot summer's day. The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts. The mad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jun-mochizuki/the-queen-of-hearts-she-made-some-tarts-all-on-a-hot-summer-s-day-the/) [Jun Mochizuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jun-mochizuki/) > [So long as women are slaves, men will be knaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/so-long-as-women-are-slaves-men-will-be-knaves/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [There is not on earth so base a knave as the man who wins the love of a woman when he knows that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/there-is-not-on-earth-so-base-a-knave-as-the-man-who-wins-the-love-of/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [It should seem that indolence itself would incline a person to be honest, as it requires infinitely greater pains and contrivance to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shenstone/it-should-seem-that-indolence-itself-would-incline-a-person-to-be/) [William Shenstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shenstone/) > [Credulity is always a ridiculous, often a dangerous failing: it has made of many a clever man, a fool; and of many a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-wright/credulity-is-always-a-ridiculous-often-a-dangerous-failing-it-has/) [Frances Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-wright/) > [The best way to deceive a knave is to tell him the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/the-best-way-to-deceive-a-knave-is-to-tell-him-the-truth/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [“Aunt Ruth looked at the unlucky pair. 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That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“ever day Maureen is Selfish To her friend and Family One she get mad at her friend and family and She need to Grad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-andeson/ever-day-maureen-is-selfish-to-her-friend-and-family-one-she-get-mad/) [Maureen Andeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-andeson/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. 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