Altruism Quote by Nathaniel Branden
“Force, governmental coercion, is the instrument by which the ethics of altruism - the belief that the individual exists to serve others - is translated into political reality.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Psychology of Self-Esteem, Nathaniel Branden, 1969
Coercive power turns altruistic ideals into enforced political actions, often compromising individual freedom.
In simple terms: Power forces altruism into political reality.
Key Takeaway
Beware of power that mandates service.
Themes
politics
ethics
power
altruism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- government policy
- nonprofit mandates
- corporate social responsibility
- community service programs
Key Concepts
social contract
authoritarianism
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does enforced altruism affect personal agency?
- When does altruism become oppression?
A Different Perspective
Power can suppress dissent and personal autonomy.
![“What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth… [Instead] reason and persuasion are the only practicable instruments. To make way for these, free enquiry must be indulged; and how can we wish…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4a4/thomas-jefferson-43_coercion_what-has-been-the-effect-of-coercion-to_238945.jpg)
