Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Ignorance combined with power is a fierce threat to justice.
In plain terms
Power plus ignorance hurts justice more than anything.
What can you take from it?
Fight ignorance in those who hold power.

Where it applies

  • policy making
  • leadership

Putting it to work

  • demand education
  • check power

Questions to consider

  • Why is ignorance dangerous?
  • How do we reduce ignorance in power?

Another view

Ignorance alone might not be as dangerous.

More from James Baldwin

  1. It is true that two wrongs don't make a right, as we love to point out to the people we have wronged. But one wrong doesn't make a right, either. People who ha…

    Permalink to quote #32
  2. If one really wishes to know how justice is administered in a country, one does not question the policemen, the lawyers, the judges, or the protected members o…

    Permalink to quote #34
  3. Now, leaving aside all the physical factors one can quote - leaving aside the rape or murder, leaving aside the bloody catalogue of oppression which we are too…

    Permalink to quote #31

Related quotes

  1. I may say this is a deluded generation, veiled with ignorance, that tho popery and slavery be riding in upon them, do not perceive it; tho I am sure there was …

    Richard RumboldRichard Rumbold quote #1
  2. Mesa should listen to the marginalized. He should be with the people, not with the empire.

    Evo MoralesEvo Morales quote #2
  3. Quem faz injuria vil e sem razao, Com forcas e poder em que esta posto, Nao vence; que a vitoria verdadeira E saber ter justica nua e inteira.

    Luis de CamoesLuis de Camoes quote #10