Bread Quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero
“When a government becomes powerful it is destructive, extravagant and violent; it is an usurer which takes bread from innocent mouths and deprives honorable men of their substance, for votes with which to perpetuate itself.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Roman Senate, 1st century BC
Powerful governments tend to exploit citizens, extracting resources and oppressing the virtuous to sustain themselves.
In simple terms: Governments can become oppressive and exploitative.
Key Takeaway
Guard against concentration of power and demand accountability.
Themes
politics
ethics
power
Mood
cautious
determined
Type
advice
political
When to use this quote
- voting
- activism
- policy advocacy
- public discourse
- education
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
economic exploitation
civic duty
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms ensure government accountability?
- How can citizens resist oppressive policies?
A Different Perspective
Reforms can be undermined by entrenched interests.
![“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)
