Confidence Quote by Joseph Conrad
““You revolutionists' the other continued, with leisurely self-confidence, 'are the slaves of the social convention, which is afraid of you; slaves of it as much as the very police that stands up in the defence of that convention. Clearly you are, since you want to revolutionize it. It governs your action, too, and thus neither your thought nor your action can ever be conclusive. (...) 'You are not a bit better than the forces arrayed against you -- than the police, for instance. The other day I came suddenly upon Chief Inspector Heat at the corner of Tottenham Court Road. He looked at me very steadily. But I did not look at him. Why should I give him more than a glance ? He was thinking of many things -- of his superiors, of his reputation, of the law courts, of his salary, of newspapers -- of a hundred things. But I was thinking of my perfect detonator only. He meant nothing to me. He was as insignificant as -- I can't call to mind anything insignificant enough to compare him with -- except Karl Yundt perhaps. Like to like. The terrorist and the policeman both come from the same basket. Revolutions, legality -- counter moves in the same game; forms of idleness at bottom identical. He plays his little game -- so do you propagandists.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad, 1907
The quote suggests that both revolutionaries and authorities are bound by the same societal rules, limiting true freedom of thought and action.
In simple terms: Both sides are trapped by the same conventions.
Recognize constraints and seek authentic change.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political activism
- law enforcement
- personal reflection
- strategic planning
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you act within or against societal limits?
- Can true change exist without confronting authority?
The analysis may overlook individual agency beyond systemic constraints.