As to killing rulers, it depends entirely on the position of the ruler. If it is the Russian tsar, I most certainly believe in dispatching him to where he belongs. If the ruler is as ineffectual as an American president, it is hardly worth the effort. There are, however, some potentates I would kill by any and all means at my disposal. They are Ignorance, Superstition, and Bigotry - the most sinister and tyrannical rulers on earth. (p. 207)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Killing ineffective political leaders is not worth it, but destroying ignorance, superstition, and bigotry is essential.
- In plain terms
- Don't waste effort on weak rulers, but fight harmful beliefs like ignorance and bigotry.
- What can you take from it?
- Focus energy on fighting harmful ideas rather than specific leaders.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Should we fight ideas instead of leaders?
- What makes a ruler worth opposing?
Another view
It justifies violence against real people selectively while claiming to target abstract concepts.
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