Only a humorless tyrant could want a perpetual chanting of praises that, one has no choice but to assume, would be the innate virtues and splendors furnished him by his creator, infinite regression, drowned in praise!
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Tyrants want endless praise that assumes they are divinely virtuous.
- In plain terms
- Dictators want constant praise because they think they are perfect.
- What can you take from it?
- Demanding praise is a sign of tyranny.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What distinguishes legitimate gratitude from demands for praise?
Another view
Some leaders legitimately deserve public appreciation.
More from Christopher Hitchens
Time spent arguing with the faithful is, oddly enough, almost never wasted.
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