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About this quote

What does it mean?
No societal change can remove human evil; coercion is always needed to restrain malice and hatred.
In plain terms
Human evil persists regardless of social systems, requiring force to control.
What can you take from it?
Coercive restraint is necessary because human evil cannot be eradicated.

Where it applies

  • social reform
  • governance

Putting it to work

  • accept limits of reform
  • design checks on power

Questions to consider

  • Can human nature ever truly change?

Another view

This view may justify excessive coercion by overstating inherent evil.

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