9 Aristotle Quotes on Power

Aristotle quotes on power

22. They should rule who are able to rule best.

27. Inferiors revolt in order that they may be equal, and equals that they may be superior. Such is the state of mind which creates revolutions.

29. Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms.

30. A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side.

89. Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers.

103. In a democracy the poor will have more power than the rich, because there are more of them, and the will of the majority is supreme.

126. Politicians also have no leisure, because they are always aiming at something beyond political life itself, power and glory, or happiness.

128. Republics decline into democracies and democracies degenerate into despotisms.

163. What it lies in our power to do, it lies in our power not to do.