Blame Quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero
“Do not blame Caesar, blame the people of Rome who have so enthusiastically acclaimed and adored him and rejoiced in their loss of freedom and danced in his path and gave him triumphal processions. Blame the people who hail him when he speaks in the Forum of the 'new, wonderful good society' which shall now be Rome, interpreted to mean 'more money, more ease, more security, more living fatly at the expense of the industrious.'”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Political oration, 44 BC, Roman Senate
The populace shares responsibility for tyranny when they glorify oppressive leaders.
In simple terms: People enable tyrants by praising them.
Key Takeaway
Question and hold leaders accountable, not just follow.
Themes
politics
responsibility
power dynamics
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- Public assemblies
- elections
- media consumption
- social movements
Key Concepts
Civic duty
propaganda
mass psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does public opinion play in sustaining power?
- How can societies resist glorifying oppressive figures?
A Different Perspective
Popular support can be manipulated, making change difficult.
![“Things sacred should not only be touched with the hands, but unviolated in thought. [Lat., Res sacros non modo manibus attingi, sed ne cogitatione quidem violari fas fuit.]” quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/deb/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_hands_things-sacred-should-not-only-be-touched_11960.jpg)
