Absolute power Quote by Leo Tolstoy
““Military life in general depraves men. It places them in conditions of complete idleness, that is, absence of all rational and useful work; frees them from their common human duties, which it replaces by merely conventional duties to the honor of the regiment, the uniform, the flag; and while giving them on the one hand absolute power over other men, also puts them into conditions of servile obedience to those of higher ranks than themselves.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: War and Peace, 1869
Military life can erode moral character by imposing idleness and blind obedience, replacing genuine duties with superficial loyalty to symbols.
In simple terms: Military idleness harms character.
Key Takeaway
Seek purposeful work and ethical responsibility.
Themes
morality
military
obedience
purpose
authority
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- soldiers
- officers
- military institutions
- leadership training
- civilian reintegration
Key Concepts
dehumanization
power dynamics
ethical duty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can individuals retain moral agency within rigid hierarchies?
- What structures can promote meaningful work in the military?
A Different Perspective
Even with strict hierarchy, personal agency and moral choice remain possible.
![“As Israel made the wants of his national existence the law of the world, as under the dominance of these wants he deified even his political vindictiveness; so the Christian made the requirements of human feeling the absolute powers and laws of the world. [T]hat is, indeed, only of man considered…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd1/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_abrahamism_as-israel-made-the-wants-of-his-national_31284.jpg)
