Bureaucrats Quote by L. Neil Smith
“Never Forget, even for an instant, that the one and only reason anybody has for taking your gun away is to make you weaker than he is, so he can do something to you that you wouldn't allow him to do if you were equipped to prevent it. This goes for burglars, muggers, and rapists, and even more so for policemen, bureaucrats, and politicians.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Probability Broach by L. Neil Smith, 1979
Power dynamics make people disarm others to gain advantage, leading to vulnerability and potential harm.
In simple terms: People weaken others to control them.
Key Takeaway
Beware of those who try to strip your power.
Themes
power
control
vulnerability
violence
Mood
cautious
defensive
critical
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal safety
- law enforcement
- political activism
- self‑protection
Key Concepts
political philosophy
self‑defense
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you protect yourself without becoming oppressive?
- When is it justified to remove someone's power?
A Different Perspective
Disarming can backfire if the disarmed regains strength.
