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About this quote

What does it mean?
He stresses that democratic citizens must become immune to eloquent rhetoric to protect rational decision‑making.
In plain terms
Citizens need resistance to persuasive speech to safeguard democracy.
What can you take from it?
Develop skepticism toward rhetorical flourishes.

Where it applies

  • voter education
  • media consumption

Putting it to work

  • debate clubs
  • fact‑checking tools

Questions to consider

  • How can citizens balance skepticism with openness?
  • What training best builds rhetorical immunity?

Another view

Complete immunity is unrealistic; some eloquence can inspire positive action.

More from Bertrand Russell

  1. It is not altogether true that persuasion is one thing and force is another. Many forms of persuasion - even many of which everybody approves - are really a ki…

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  2. Just as we teach children to avoid being destroyed by motor cars if they can, so we should teach them to avoid being destroyed by cruel fanatics, and to this e…

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  3. The love of power is a part of human nature, but power-philosophies are, in a certain precise sense, insane. The existence of the external world, both that of …

    Permalink to quote #141

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