--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a despotic government, the only…" description: "\"In a despotic government, the only principle by which the tyrant who is to move the whole machine means to regulate and manage the people is fear, by t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c8/samuel-williams-80203_dread_in-a-despotic-government-the-only-princi_2421968.jpg" --- # In a despotic government, the only principle by which the… ![“In a despotic government, the only principle by which the tyrant who is to move the whole machine means to regulate and manage the people is fear, by the servile dread of his power. But a free government, which of all others is far the most preferable, cannot be supported without virtue.” quote by Samuel Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c8/samuel-williams-80203_dread_in-a-despotic-government-the-only-princi_2421968.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c8/samuel-williams-80203_dread_in-a-despotic-government-the-only-princi_2421968.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c8/samuel-williams-80203_dread_in-a-despotic-government-the-only-princi_2421968.jpg) > “In a despotic government, the only principle by which the tyrant who is to move the whole machine means to regulate and manage the people is fear, by the servile dread of his power. But a free government, which of all others is far the most preferable, cannot be supported without virtue.” [Samuel Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A tyrannical regime relies on fear to control people, while a free society requires virtue to sustain itself. **In simple terms:** Fear controls dictators; virtue sustains freedom. Key Takeaway Cultivate virtue for healthy governance. Themes politics freedom virtue Mood reflective critical Type philosophical political theory When to use this quote - government policy - civil society - education - leadership Key Concepts authority social contract Questions to Reflect On - What virtues are essential for citizens? - How can institutions foster virtue? A Different Perspective Virtue alone may not prevent corruption. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Despotic Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despotic-government-378195/) [Dread](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dread/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Free government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-government/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-principle-3689914/) [Machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machines/) [Manage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manage/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Moving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Principle Tyrant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle-tyrant-1320871/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Tyrant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyrant/) [Tyrants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyrants/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) ## Related quotes > [ \[It is a basic principle of a tyrant\] to unarm his people of weapons, money and all means whereby they resist his power. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/it-is-a-basic-principle-of-a-tyrant-to-unarm-his-people-of-weapons/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is virtue, will not every sober man acknowledge it better calculated to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/if-there-is-a-form-of-government-then-whose-principle-and-foundation/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [I draw my idea of the form of government from a principle in nature, which no art can overturn, viz. that the more simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/i-draw-my-idea-of-the-form-of-government-from-a-principle-in-nature/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [The Second Amendment reveals a profound principle of American government - the principle of civilian ascendency over the military.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-o-douglas/the-second-amendment-reveals-a-profound-principle-of-american/) [William O. Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-o-douglas/) > [ \[A\] free government . . . cannot be supported without Virtue. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-williams/a-free-government-cannot-be-supported-without-virtue/) [Samuel Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-williams/) > [Even the most despotic government cannot stand except for the consent of the governed… Immediately the subject ceases to fear the despotic force, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/even-the-most-despotic-government-cannot-stand-except-for-the-consent/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [In these sentiments, sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a General Government necessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/in-these-sentiments-sir-i-agree-to-this-constitution-with-all-its/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such: because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-agree-to-this-constitution-with-all-its-faults-if-they-are-such/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Most men appear to think that the art of despotic government is statesmanship, and what men affirm to be unjust and inexpedient in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/most-men-appear-to-think-that-the-art-of-despotic-government-is/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/if-you-think-of-yourselves-as-helpless-and-ineffectual-it-is-certain/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [The utopian schemes of leveling and a community of goods, are as visionary and impractical as those which vest all property in the crown.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/the-utopian-schemes-of-leveling-and-a-community-of-goods-are-as/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [It has been said that terror is the principle of despotic government. Does your government therefore resemble despotism? Yes, as the sword that gleams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/it-has-been-said-that-terror-is-the-principle-of-despotic-government/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [The government of freemen is nobler and implies more virtue than despotic government. Neither is a city to be deemed happy or a legislator…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-government-of-freemen-is-nobler-and-implies-more-virtue-than/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The trial by jury might safely be introduced into a despotic government, if the jury were to exercise no right of judging of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/the-trial-by-jury-might-safely-be-introduced-into-a-despotic/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [When the savages of Louisiana wish to have fruit, they cut the tree at the bottom and gather the fruit. That is exactly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/when-the-savages-of-louisiana-wish-to-have-fruit-they-cut-the-tree-at/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) ## More by Samuel Williams > [ \[A\] free government . . . cannot be supported without Virtue. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-williams/a-free-government-cannot-be-supported-without-virtue/) [Samuel Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-williams/) > [Every thing useful and beneficial to man, seems to be connected with obedience to the laws of his nature, the inclinations, the duties, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-williams/every-thing-useful-and-beneficial-to-man-seems-to-be-connected-with/) [Samuel Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-williams/) [Explore all 3 Samuel Williams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-williams/) ## More Dread quotes > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Smart people duck when they hear the dread announcement 'I'm going to be perfectly honest with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-martin/smart-people-duck-when-they-hear-the-dread-announcement-i-m-going-to/) [Judith Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-martin/) > [In times of dread, artists must never choose to remain silent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/in-times-of-dread-artists-must-never-choose-to-remain-silent/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [Oh, I'm being eaten By a boa constrictor, A boa constrictor, A boa constrictor, I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor, And I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/oh-i-m-being-eaten-by-a-boa-constrictor-a-boa-constrictor-a-boa/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [Present sufferings seem far greater to men than those they merely dread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/present-sufferings-seem-far-greater-to-men-than-those-they-merely/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [The advance of science spares us from irrational dread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/the-advance-of-science-spares-us-from-irrational-dread/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [I think writer's block is simply the dread that you are going to write something horrible. But as a writer, I believe that if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-blount-jr/i-think-writer-s-block-is-simply-the-dread-that-you-are-going-to/) [Roy Blount, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-blount-jr/) > [I think most amateurs dread playing a 180-plus-yard par 3 even more than a hard par 4. Part of it is psychological: You think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/i-think-most-amateurs-dread-playing-a-180-plus-yard-par-3-even-more/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [The psychological condition of fear is divorced from any concrete and true immediate danger. It comes in many forms: unease, worry, anxiety, nervousness, tension,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/the-psychological-condition-of-fear-is-divorced-from-any-concrete-and/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Back to the bad. Makes them mad. Say I won't . But you'll see it when I do. Don't have a clue? Well, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/back-to-the-bad-makes-them-mad-say-i-won-t-but-you-ll-see-it-when-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is a certain freedom in giving up all hope. One is no longer bound by the cords of dread or fear; you simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/there-is-a-certain-freedom-in-giving-up-all-hope-one-is-no-longer/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [Why exactly are we so frightened of death that we avoid looking at it altogether? Somewhere, deep down, we know we cannot avoid facing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/why-exactly-are-we-so-frightened-of-death-that-we-avoid-looking-at-it/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [Many live in dread of what is coming. Why should we? The unknown puts adventure into life. ... The unexpected around the corner gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/many-live-in-dread-of-what-is-coming-why-should-we-the-unknown-puts/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [When we think of globalization we are thinking in part of structures and institutions that have been developed over time and that have allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/when-we-think-of-globalization-we-are-thinking-in-part-of-structures/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [Communism worked honestly by officials devoid of human frailties and devoted to nothing but the good of its slaves, would have certain manifest material…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaire-belloc/communism-worked-honestly-by-officials-devoid-of-human-frailties-and/) [Hilaire Belloc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaire-belloc/) [Browse all 813 Dread quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dread/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In a despotic government, the only principle by which the tyrant who is to move the whole machine means to regulate and manage the people is fear, by the servile dread of his power. But a free government, which of all others is far the most preferable, cannot be supported without virtue.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Samuel Williams" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-williams/in-a-despotic-government-the-only-principle-by-which-the-tyrant-who/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dread" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-williams/in-a-despotic-government-the-only-principle-by-which-the-tyrant-who/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c8/samuel-williams-80203_dread_in-a-despotic-government-the-only-princi_2421968.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c8/samuel-williams-80203_dread_in-a-despotic-government-the-only-princi_2421968.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c8/samuel-williams-80203_dread_in-a-despotic-government-the-only-princi_2421968.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In a despotic government, the only principle by which the tyrant who is to move the whole machine means to…” — Samuel Williams", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Samuel Williams", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-williams/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In a despotic government, the only...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-williams/in-a-despotic-government-the-only-principle-by-which-the-tyrant-who/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-williams/in-a-despotic-government-the-only-principle-by-which-the-tyrant-who/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```