Religions, which condemn the pleasures of sense, drive men to seek the pleasures of power. Throughout history power has been the vice of the ascetic.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Russell claims that religions that reject sensory pleasure push people toward seeking power, and that historically power has been the vice of ascetics.
- In plain terms
- Denouncing sensory joy leads to a pursuit of power, a historic vice of ascetics.
- What can you take from it?
- Balance enjoyment of life with responsibility, avoiding power for its own sake.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why does denying pleasure foster power seeking?
- How can societies channel ascetic values positively?
Another view
Some ascetics view power as a means to serve, not as a personal vice.
More from Bertrand Russell
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Permalink to quote #28
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