Civilization Quote by Ludwig von Mises
“The worship of the state is the worship of force. There is no more dangerous menace to civilization than a government of incompetent, corrupt, or vile men. The worst evils which mankind ever had to endure were inflicted by governments.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Human Action, Ludwig von Mises, 1949
The state’s power is force, and when it is wielded by incompetent or corrupt leaders, it endangers civilization.
In simple terms: State power can be dangerous when leaders are bad.
Key Takeaway
Guard against corrupt authority.
Themes
politics
government
corruption
civilization
power
Mood
cautious
critical
concerned
Type
political
warning
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting
- activism
- policy advocacy
- education
- journalism
Key Concepts
authority
incompetence
moral decay
risk
danger
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens hold leaders accountable?
- What safeguards protect against governmental abuse?
A Different Perspective
Even good governments can become oppressive if unchecked.
![“Yet mere membership as a matter of duty is not enough for Hegel, given the grandeur of the state’s divine historical purpose: “One must worship the state as a terrestrial divinity.”[211]” quote by Stephen R.C. Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/371/stephen-r-c-hicks-12692_hegel_yet-mere-membership-as-a-matter-of-duty_229759.jpg)
