Assuming Quote by Steven Erikson
“Civilization after civilization, it is the same. The world falls to tyranny with a whisper. The frightened are ever keen to bow to a perceived necessity, in the belief that necessity forces conformity, and conformity a certain stability. In a world shaped into conformity, dissidents stand out, are easily branded and dealt with. There is no multitude of perspectives, no dialogue. The victim assumes the face of the tyrant, self-righteous and intransigent, and wars breed like vermin. And people die.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Malazan Book of the Fallen (Series) by Steven Erikson, 1999‑2011
Conformity breeds tyranny; dissent is suppressed, leading to conflict and loss of diverse perspectives
In simple terms: Conformity leads to tyranny and loss of dialogue
Key Takeaway
Question authority, protect diverse voices
Themes
tyranny
conformity
dissent
war
dialogue
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political activism
- community organizing
- education reform
- media literacy
Key Concepts
social control
psychology of obedience
political power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What encourages you to speak against the majority?
- How can societies foster healthy dissent?
A Different Perspective
Suppressing dissent can also stifle innovation and progress
