Death Quote by James C. Scott
““First, the visionary intellectuals and planners behind them were guilty of hubris, of forgetting that they were mortals and acting as if they were gods. Second, their actions, far from being cynical grabs for power and wealth, were animated by a genuine desire to improve the human condition—a desire with a fatal flaw. That these tragedies could be so intimately associated with optimistic views of progress and rational order is in itself a reason for a searching diagnosis. Another””
About This Quote
Source Book: Against the Grain: A Deep History of the Earliest States, 2017
Idealistic planners often forget their humanity, leading to hubris; even well‑intentioned projects can cause tragedy when overconfidence blinds them.
In simple terms: Visionaries can become overconfident, causing harm.
Key Takeaway
Beware hubris in ambitious plans.
Themes
hubris
idealism
human fallibility
Mood
cautionary
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- Policy design
- technological innovation
- social reform
Key Concepts
Political theory
history of governance
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can prevent hubris in large projects?
- How do we balance optimism with realistic self‑assessment?
A Different Perspective
Idealism can be weaponized when unchecked.
