Arsenic Quote by Joan Robinson
“Voltaire remarked that it is possible to kill a flock of sheep by witchcraft if you give them plenty of arsenic at the same time. The sheep, in this figure, may well stand for the complacent apologists of capitalism; Marx's penetrating insight and bitter hatred of oppression supply the arsenic, while the labour theory of value provides the incantations.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Capitalism and Its Discontents, 1970s
Marxist critique likens complacent defenders of capitalism to sheep poisoned by ideological rhetoric, showing how theory can be weaponized.
In simple terms: Marxist theory can poison complacent capitalism supporters.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge ideological complacency.
Themes
capitalism
ideology
critique
marxism
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- political activism
- education
- media analysis
Key Concepts
theory
poison
incantation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does theory become a weapon?
- What safeguards prevent ideological poisoning?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may oversimplify complex economic dynamics.
![“The very nature of economics is rooted in nationalism. ... It [was] developed ... in the hope of throwing light upon questions of policy. But policy means nothing unless there is an authority to carry it out, and authorities are national.” quote by Joan Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eba/joan-robinson-11438_authority_the-very-nature-of-economics-is-rooted-i_15974.jpg)
