Absolutism Quote by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
“Does it seem to you impossible to imagine anything more inextricable than the social contract, when you think of the frightful number of relations that it must regulate -- something like squaring the circle, or finding perpetual motion? That is the reason why, wearied of the struggle, you fall back on absolutism and force.”
About This Quote
Source Book: What Is Property? by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, 1840
The social contract is so complex it feels impossible to fully grasp, leading exhausted people to seek absolute authority.
In simple terms: Complex social rules push people toward authoritarianism.
Key Takeaway
Recognize complexity, avoid oversimplification.
Themes
politics
philosophy
authority
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political debate
- legal reform
- community organizing
Key Concepts
social contract
complexity
absolutism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we simplify social obligations without losing nuance?
- What alternatives to absolutism exist?
A Different Perspective
Complexity can be reduced through dialogue, not force.
![“The faults of which we ask you [God] the remittance, it is you who make us commit them; the traps of which we implore you to deliver us, it is you who has set them for us; and the Satan which surrounds us, this Satan, it is you.” quote by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4df/pierre-joseph-proudhon-11634_asks_the-faults-of-which-we-ask-you-god-the-r_28053.jpg)
