Bees Quote by Plato
“Democracy does not contain any force which will check the constant tendency to put more and more on the public payroll. The state is like a hive of bees in which the drones display, multiply and starve the workers so the idlers will consume the food and the workers will perish.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Republic, Book III, Plato, c. 380 BC
Democracy can become self‑destructive when it rewards non‑productive elites at the expense of diligent workers.
In simple terms: Democracy may favor idle elites over hardworking people.
Key Takeaway
Guard against policies that empower unproductive groups.
Themes
politics
economics
social justice
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- labor negotiations
- tax reform
- public sector hiring
Key Concepts
public choice theory
elite capture
resource allocation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies ensure productive contribution?
- What safeguards prevent elite capture?
A Different Perspective
The analogy oversimplifies complex political dynamics.
