--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That's a Roman concept where the…" description: "\"That's a Roman concept where the government can do anything, as long as you give the people \"bread and circuses.\" And I'd say this culture right now is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/ian-mackaye-3369_bread_that-s-a-roman-concept-where-the-governm_872388.png" --- # That's a Roman concept where the government can do… ![“That's a Roman concept where the government can do anything, as long as you give the people "bread and circuses." And I'd say this culture right now is similar, as long as people have money, fun, and food, our government can do heinous, heinous things.” quote by Ian MacKaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/ian-mackaye-3369_bread_that-s-a-roman-concept-where-the-governm_872388.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/ian-mackaye-3369_bread_that-s-a-roman-concept-where-the-governm_872388.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/ian-mackaye-3369_bread_that-s-a-roman-concept-where-the-governm_872388.png) > “That's a Roman concept where the government can do anything, as long as you give the people "bread and circuses." And I'd say this culture right now is similar, as long as people have money, fun, and food, our government can do heinous, heinous things.” [Ian MacKaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mackaye/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When governments satisfy basic pleasures, citizens may ignore abuses, allowing oppression to flourish. **In simple terms:** Entertainment distracts from oppression. Key Takeaway Stay vigilant, demand accountability. Themes political apathy media distraction authoritarianism Mood critical reflective Type musical political When to use this quote - elections - media consumption - public protests Key Concepts social control public distraction political complacency Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate healthy leisure from manipulation? - What role does media play in shaping public awareness? A Different Perspective Distractions can also empower positive civic engagement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bread](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bread/) [Bread and circuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bread-and-circuses/) [Circus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circus/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Our only political party has two right wings, one called Republican, the other Democratic. But Henry Adams figured all that out back in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/our-only-political-party-has-two-right-wings-one-called-republican/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [That soul-destroying, meaningless, mechanical, moronic work is an insult to human nature which must necessarily and inevitably produce either escapism or aggression, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-f-schumacher/that-soul-destroying-meaningless-mechanical-moronic-work-is-an-insult/) [E. F. Schumacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-f-schumacher/) > [The people that once bestowed commands, consulships, legions, and all else, now concerns itself no more, and longs eagerly for just two things: bread…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/the-people-that-once-bestowed-commands-consulships-legions-and-all/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/already-long-ago-from-when-we-sold-our-vote-to-no-man-the-people-have/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [The Romans always wanted bread and circuses-food and entertainement! As we destroy their city, I will offer them both. Behold, a sample!" Someething dropped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-romans-always-wanted-bread-and-circuses-food-and-entertainement/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We love against the night, burning like stars against the darkness of bread and circuses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-love-against-the-night-burning-like-stars-against-the-darkness-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Panem et Circenses" translates into 'Bread and Circuses.' 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When a loaf of bread,. for instance,.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/we-should-remark-the-grace-and-fascination-that-there-is-even-in-the/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [When I met you you were oh so sweet, now you give me the bread and you take all the meat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-jett/when-i-met-you-you-were-oh-so-sweet-now-you-give-me-the-bread-and-you/) [Joan Jett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-jett/) > [When you fight to give your family bread, that's not passion anymore: that's conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoel-romero/when-you-fight-to-give-your-family-bread-that-s-not-passion-anymore/) [Yoel Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoel-romero/) > [I think the best Thanksgiving we ever had was one where we didn't even have a turkey. 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