--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It has been the one song of those who…" description: "\"“It has been the one song of those who thirst after absolute power that the interest of the state requires that its affairs should be conducted in secr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/will-durant-948_absolute-power_it-has-been-the-one-song-of-those-who-th_2343640.jpg" --- # It has been the one song of those who thirst after… ![“It has been the one song of those who thirst after absolute power that the interest of the state requires that its affairs should be conducted in secret... But the more such arguments disguise themselves under the mask of public welfare, the more oppressive is the slavery to which they will…” quote by Will Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/will-durant-948_absolute-power_it-has-been-the-one-song-of-those-who-th_2343640.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/will-durant-948_absolute-power_it-has-been-the-one-song-of-those-who-th_2343640.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/will-durant-948_absolute-power_it-has-been-the-one-song-of-those-who-th_2343640.jpg) > ““It has been the one song of those who thirst after absolute power that the interest of the state requires that its affairs should be conducted in secret... But the more such arguments disguise themselves under the mask of public welfare, the more oppressive is the slavery to which they will lead... Better that right counsels be known to enemies than that the evil secrets of tyrants should be concealed from the citizens. They who can treat secretly of the affairs of a nation have it absolutely under their authority; and as they plot against the enemy in time of war, so do they against the citizens in time of peace.”” [Will Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-durant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Secret governance hides power, but transparency protects citizens from oppression. **In simple terms:** Secrecy breeds tyranny; openness safeguards freedom. Key Takeaway Demand openness and accountability. Themes politics power transparency Mood critical cautious Type political analytical When to use this quote - government policy - corporate decisions - media reporting Key Concepts authoritarianism civil liberties public welfare Questions to Reflect On - When is secrecy acceptable? - How does secrecy affect trust? A Different Perspective Secrecy may be justified for national security. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absolute power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolute-power/) ## Related quotes > [“Better that right counsels be known to enemies than that the evil secrets of tyrants should be concealed from citizens.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/better-that-right-counsels-be-known-to-enemies-than-that-the-evil-2/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [Better that right counsels be known to enemies than that the evil secrets of tyrants should be concealed from the citizens. They who can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/better-that-right-counsels-be-known-to-enemies-than-that-the-evil/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [We're taught Lord Acton's axiom: all power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. 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