Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Heresy must be eliminated before it spreads and destabilizes society.
In plain terms
Destroy heresy early to protect the state.
What can you take from it?
Act swiftly against ideas that threaten social order.

Where it applies

  • political regimes
  • religious institutions
  • censorship debates

Putting it to work

  • monitor dissenting ideas
  • enforce ideological conformity

Questions to consider

  • When is it justified to limit controversial ideas?
  • What are the risks of over‑repression?

Another view

Suppressing dissent can stifle innovation and freedom.

More from Holy Roman Emperor Charles V

  1. A man who knows four languages is worth four men.

    Permalink to quote #2
  2. In my realm, the sun never sets. (Nunca se ponia el sol)

    Permalink to quote #4
  3. Fortune hath somewhat the nature of a woman; if she be too much wooed, she is the farther off.

    Permalink to quote #1

Related quotes

  1. If those in charge of our society - politicians, corporate executives, and owners of press and television - can dominate our ideas, they will be secure in thei…

    Howard ZinnHoward Zinn quote #1
  2. Having been informed of events by Vice-Chancellor von Papen, President Hindenburg summoned General Goering, in his capacity of Chief of Police, and myself to N…

    Werner von BlombergWerner von Blomberg quote #4
  3. Bolshevism is knocking at our gates, we can't afford to let it in...We must keep America whole and safe and unspoiled. We must keep the worker away from red li…

    Al CaponeAl Capone quote #7