Common Quote by Saul Alinsky
“Love and faith are not common companions. More commonly power and fear consort with faith…Power is not to be crossed; one must respect and obey. Power means strength, whereas love is a human frailty the people mistrust. It is a sad fact of life that power and fear are the fountainheads of faith.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Rules for Radicals, 1971
Power and fear dominate faith, while love is seen as weak and mistrusted.
In simple terms: Power drives faith, love is weak.
Key Takeaway
Question power structures.
Themes
power
faith
fear
love
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political campaigns
- religious movements
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
political theory
human nature
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people trust power over love?
- Can love overcome fear?
A Different Perspective
Oversimplifies complex motivations.
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
