Believe Quote by William Hazlitt
“Tyrants forego all respect for humanity in proportion as they are sunk beneath it. Taught to believe themselves of a different species, they really become so, lose their participation with their kind, and in mimicking the god dwindle into the brute.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "On the Superficiality of the Modern Man", 1825
Tyrants lose humanity when they dehumanize others, becoming brutish through self‑imposed isolation.
In simple terms: Tyrants lose humanity, become brute.
Key Takeaway
Recognize dehumanization to prevent cruelty.
Themes
power
dehumanization
morality
Mood
critical
serious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- social movements
- education programs
Key Concepts
ethical decay
psychology of oppression
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives leaders to dehumanize others?
- How can societies resist dehumanizing ideologies?
A Different Perspective
Not all tyrants act consciously; systemic factors also play roles.
![“I did take the blows [of life], but I took them with my chin up, in dignity, because I so profoundly love and respect humanity.” quote by Josephine Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8a6/josephine-baker-12508_attitude_i-did-take-the-blows-of-life-but-i-took_2868371.jpg)
