--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A usurper always distrusts the whole world." description: "\"A usurper always distrusts the whole world.\" — Vittorio Alfieri" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a1/vittorio-alfieri-21989_distrust_a-usurper-always-distrusts-the-whole-wor_3074677.jpg" --- # A usurper always distrusts the whole world. ![“A usurper always distrusts the whole world.” quote by Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a1/vittorio-alfieri-21989_distrust_a-usurper-always-distrusts-the-whole-wor_3074677.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a1/vittorio-alfieri-21989_distrust_a-usurper-always-distrusts-the-whole-wor_3074677.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a1/vittorio-alfieri-21989_distrust_a-usurper-always-distrusts-the-whole-wor_3074677.jpg) > “A usurper always distrusts the whole world.” [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A ruler who seizes power tends to distrust everyone, fearing betrayal and loss of control. **In simple terms:** Power leads to paranoia. Key Takeaway Cultivate trust even in authority. Themes power paranoia trust leadership Mood cautionary philosophical Type political psychology When to use this quote - political leadership - personal relationships - organizational culture Key Concepts political psychology authority dynamics Questions to Reflect On - Can distrust be a rational response to power? - How does mistrust affect decision making? A Different Perspective Distrust can isolate leaders and weaken governance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Distrust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distrust/) [Distrusts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distrusts-648418/) [Distrusts World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distrusts-world-5218003/) [Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust/) [Usurper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usurper-199549/) [Usurper Distrusts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usurper-distrusts-5218002/) [Usurpers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usurpers/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) [Whole world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole-world/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [A cold-blooded, calculation, unprincipled, usurper, without a virtue, no statesman, knowing nothing of commerce, political economy, or civil government, and supplying ignorance by bold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-cold-blooded-calculation-unprincipled-usurper-without-a-virtue-no/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Whoever lays his hand on me to govern me is a usurper and tyrant, and I declare him my enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-joseph-proudhon/whoever-lays-his-hand-on-me-to-govern-me-is-a-usurper-and-tyrant-and/) [Pierre-Joseph Proudhon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-joseph-proudhon/) > [The man who trusts men will make fewer mistakes that he who distrusts them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camillo-benso-count-of-cavour/the-man-who-trusts-men-will-make-fewer-mistakes-that-he-who-distrusts/) [Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camillo-benso-count-of-cavour/) > [It may be no less dangerous to claim, on certain occasions, too little than too much. There is something captivating in spirit and intrepidity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-may-be-no-less-dangerous-to-claim-on-certain-occasions-too-little/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [He also deeply distrusts vampires, as you had guessed yourself,” Bones added. “Aside from that, all I heard was enough repetitions of ‘how many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/he-also-deeply-distrusts-vampires-as-you-had-guessed-yourself-bones/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [One cannot learn from someone whom one distrusts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/one-cannot-learn-from-someone-whom-one-distrusts/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [I like the idea of democracy. You have to have someone everyone distrusts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/i-like-the-idea-of-democracy-you-have-to-have-someone-everyone/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“That's the claim. The Arl and the Prince, both killed at West Hill." she glanced at Maric, crooking one corner of her mouth in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gaider/that-s-the-claim-the-arl-and-the-prince-both-killed-at-west-hill-she/) [David Gaider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gaider/) > [“Let no one ever intimidate you, you are standing on no one's ground. But again, some have claimed the earth as their own and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/let-no-one-ever-intimidate-you-you-are-standing-on-no-one-s-ground/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [The silent majority distrusts people who believe in causes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-moore/the-silent-majority-distrusts-people-who-believe-in-causes/) [Brian Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-moore/) > [“The person who distrusts himself has no touchstone for reality—for this touchstone can be only oneself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/the-person-who-distrusts-himself-has-no-touchstone-for-reality-for-2/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [“I have been corrupted as much as anyone else by the vast number of menial services which our society has grown to expect and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-have-been-corrupted-as-much-as-anyone-else-by-the-vast-number-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The man who trusts men will make fewer mistakes than he who distrusts them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-man-who-trusts-men-will-make-fewer-mistakes-than-he-who-distrusts/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I like the idea of democracy. You have to have someone everyone distrusts," said Brutha. "That way, everyone's happy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/i-like-the-idea-of-democracy-you-have-to-have-someone-everyone-2/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“The person who distrusts himself has no touchstone for reality - for this touchstone can be only oneself. Such a person interpose between himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/the-person-who-distrusts-himself-has-no-touchstone-for-reality-for/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) ## More by Vittorio Alfieri > [The time for hope is gone, and come for fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/the-time-for-hope-is-gone-and-come-for-fear/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [The guilty is he who meditates a crime; the punishment is his who lays the plot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/the-guilty-is-he-who-meditates-a-crime-the-punishment-is-his-who-lays/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [Disgrace does not consist in the punishment, but in the crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/disgrace-does-not-consist-in-the-punishment-but-in-the-crime/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [Heaven takes care that no man secures happiness by crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/heaven-takes-care-that-no-man-secures-happiness-by-crime/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [If ardent passions push not men on to lofty enterprise, calm wisdom never will accomplish it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/if-ardent-passions-push-not-men-on-to-lofty-enterprise-calm-wisdom/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [Joy surfeited turns to sorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/joy-surfeited-turns-to-sorrow/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [Necessity inspires the fatal thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/necessity-inspires-the-fatal-thought/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [Liars are always most disposed to swear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/liars-are-always-most-disposed-to-swear/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [That blood which thou hast spill'd, should join you closely in an eternal bond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/that-blood-which-thou-hast-spill-d-should-join-you-closely-in-an/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [For 'tis impossible Hate to return with love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/for-tis-impossible-hate-to-return-with-love/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [I had seen the great, but I had not seen the small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/i-had-seen-the-great-but-i-had-not-seen-the-small/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [Deep vengeance is the daughter of deep silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/deep-vengeance-is-the-daughter-of-deep-silence/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [First thoughts are not always the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/first-thoughts-are-not-always-the-best/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [Ofttimes the test of courage becomes rather to live than to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/ofttimes-the-test-of-courage-becomes-rather-to-live-than-to-die/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [There is a silence, the child of love, which expresses everything, and proclaims more loudly than the tongue is able to do; there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/there-is-a-silence-the-child-of-love-which-expresses-everything-and-2/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) [Explore all 28 Vittorio Alfieri quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) ## More Distrust quotes > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Distrust all those who love you extremely upon a very slight acquaintance and without any visible reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distrust-all-those-who-love-you-extremely-upon-a-very-slight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [At no time in the past century has public distrust of the government been so broadly distributed across the political spectrum, as it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-zimmermann/at-no-time-in-the-past-century-has-public-distrust-of-the-government/) [Phil Zimmermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-zimmermann/) > [So often do you see collegians enter life with high resolve and lofty purpose and then watch them shrink and shrink to sordid, selfish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/so-often-do-you-see-collegians-enter-life-with-high-resolve-and-lofty/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [We believe a scientist because he can substantiate his remarks, not because he is eloquent and forcible in his enunciation. In fact, we distrust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-a-richards/we-believe-a-scientist-because-he-can-substantiate-his-remarks-not/) [I. A. Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-a-richards/) > [Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-own-distrust-gives-a-fair-pretence-for-the-knavery-of-other-people/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Let not the world see fear and sad distrust govern the motion of a kingly eye.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/let-not-the-world-see-fear-and-sad-distrust-govern-the-motion-of-a/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Excessive distrust is not less hurtfJul than its opposite. Most men become useless to him who is unwilling to risk being deceived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luc-de-clapiers/excessive-distrust-is-not-less-hurtfjul-than-its-opposite-most-men/) [Luc de Clapiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luc-de-clapiers/) > [Objection, evasion, joyous distrust, and love of irony are signs of health; everything absolute belongs to pathology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/objection-evasion-joyous-distrust-and-love-of-irony-are-signs-of/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [On one thing, at least, men & women both agree: They both distrust women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/on-one-thing-at-least-men-women-both-agree-they-both-distrust-women/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [Our distrust of another justifies his deceit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-distrust-of-another-justifies-his-deceit/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demosthenes/there-is-one-safeguard-known-generally-to-the-wise-which-is-an/) [Demosthenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demosthenes/) > [When I arrived in America, though I had left the war physically far behind, in my mind, the soldiers were still chasing to kill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loung-ung/when-i-arrived-in-america-though-i-had-left-the-war-physically-far/) [Loung Ung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loung-ung/) > [If you would improve, submit to be considered wihout sense and foolish with respect to externals. Wish to be considered to know nothing; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/if-you-would-improve-submit-to-be-considered-wihout-sense-and-foolish/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [You have to believe in something, and you have to believe in the things that you feel and find value in those things, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-choi/you-have-to-believe-in-something-and-you-have-to-believe-in-the/) [Roy Choi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-choi/) [Browse all 582 Distrust quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distrust/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A usurper always distrusts the whole world.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Vittorio Alfieri" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/a-usurper-always-distrusts-the-whole-world/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Distrust" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/a-usurper-always-distrusts-the-whole-world/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a1/vittorio-alfieri-21989_distrust_a-usurper-always-distrusts-the-whole-wor_3074677.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a1/vittorio-alfieri-21989_distrust_a-usurper-always-distrusts-the-whole-wor_3074677.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a1/vittorio-alfieri-21989_distrust_a-usurper-always-distrusts-the-whole-wor_3074677.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A usurper always distrusts the whole world.” — Vittorio Alfieri", "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": "Vittorio Alfieri", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A usurper always distrusts the whole...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/a-usurper-always-distrusts-the-whole-world/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/a-usurper-always-distrusts-the-whole-world/#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 } } ] } ```