Assassins Quote by Marco Polo
“And when the Old Man wished to kill someone, he would take him and say: "Go and do this thing. I do this because I want to make you return to paradise." And the assassins go and perform the deed willingly.”
About This Quote
Source Travelogue: Journeys Through the East, 13th Century
A ruler orders assassins, claiming the act will return the victim to paradise, and the assassins comply willingly.
In simple terms: Killings are justified as a path to paradise, and killers accept it.
Key Takeaway
Question moral justifications of violence.
Themes
power
religion
morality
politics
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
ethical
historical
When to use this quote
- political intrigue
- religious doctrine
- military orders
Key Concepts
divine justification
obedience
ethical paradox
Questions to Reflect On
- How does belief in afterlife affect violent orders?
- What psychological mechanisms enable compliance?
A Different Perspective
Justifications can be manipulated for control.
![“I speak and speak, [...] but the listener retains only the words he is expecting. [...] It is not the voice that commands the story: it is the ear.” quote by Marco Polo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa5/marco-polo-31767_command_i-speak-and-speak-but-the-listener-retai_663831.jpg)
