The slave begins by demanding justice and ends by wanting to wear a crown. He must dominate in his turn.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A slave who first seeks justice may later desire power, ending up wanting to dominate.
- In plain terms
- Seeking justice can turn into a desire for power.
- What can you take from it?
- Beware of justice becoming a quest for dominance.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What drives your pursuit of justice?
- How can power be kept in check?
Another view
Not all who seek justice become power‑hungry.
More from Albert Camus
Absolute freedom mocks at justice. Absolute justice denies freedom. To be fruitful, the two ideas must find their limits in each other.
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