--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The masses, on admitting their own…" description: "\"“The masses, on admitting their own incapacity to govern themselves, have elected me as their head By doing so, they have clearly proclaimed their own ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecd/mikhail-bakunin-3075_corruption_the-masses-on-admitting-their-own-incapa_193312.jpg" --- # The masses, on admitting their own incapacity to govern… ![“The masses, on admitting their own incapacity to govern themselves, have elected me as their head By doing so, they have clearly proclaimed their own inferiority and my superiority. In this great crowd of men, among whom I hardly find any who are my equals, I alone am capable of administering…” quote by Mikhail Bakunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecd/mikhail-bakunin-3075_corruption_the-masses-on-admitting-their-own-incapa_193312.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecd/mikhail-bakunin-3075_corruption_the-masses-on-admitting-their-own-incapa_193312.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecd/mikhail-bakunin-3075_corruption_the-masses-on-admitting-their-own-incapa_193312.jpg) > ““The masses, on admitting their own incapacity to govern themselves, have elected me as their head By doing so, they have clearly proclaimed their own inferiority and my superiority. In this great crowd of men, among whom I hardly find any who are my equals, I alone am capable of administering public affairs. The people need me; they cannot get along without my services, while I am sufficient unto myself. They must therefore obey me for their own good, and I, by deigning to command them, create their happiness and well-being." There is enough here to turn anyone's head and corrupt the heart and make one swell with pride, isn't there? That is how power and the habit of commanding become a source of aberration, both intellectual and moral, even for the most intelligent and most virtuous of men.”” [Mikhail Bakunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bakunin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker claims inherent superiority, justifying authoritarian rule as necessary for the masses, highlighting how power corrupts even the virtuous. **In simple terms:** Power leads to corruption and pride. Key Takeaway Beware of claims of superiority and authoritarianism. Themes authority hubris corruption politics philosophy Mood critical skeptical reflective Type political philosophical warning When to use this quote - government leadership - political movements - social organization - ethical debates Key Concepts anarchism power dynamics elitism Questions to Reflect On - What are the dangers of believing one is uniquely qualified to lead? - How does power change moral judgment? A Different Perspective Such self‑appointed superiority often ignores collective wisdom and can lead to oppression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption/) [Elected Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elected-head-2036819/) [Head Corrupt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/head-corrupt-2036817/) [Inferiority Superiority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inferiority-superiority-1492603/) [Power corrupts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-corrupts/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Proclaimed Inferiority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proclaimed-inferiority-2036818/) [Public affairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-affairs/) [Virtuous Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtuous-men-1957627/) ## Related quotes > [Mofaz was elected to head Kadima since the party had been shattered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ehud-olmert/mofaz-was-elected-to-head-kadima-since-the-party-had-been-shattered/) [Ehud Olmert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ehud-olmert/) > [The idea of racial inferiority or superiority is foreign to me. 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In this great crowd of men, among whom I hardly find any who are my equals, I alone am capable of administering public affairs. The people need me; they cannot get along without my services, while I am sufficient unto myself. They must therefore obey me for their own good, and I, by deigning to command them, create their happiness and well-being.\" There is enough here to turn anyone's head and corrupt the heart and make one swell with pride, isn't there? 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