The aristocracy has the advantage of concentrating the power of Government into less dangerous hands than those of the ignorant multitude.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Centralized government power is safer than rule by an uninformed majority.
- In plain terms
- A small elite group is less risky than the general public.
- What can you take from it?
- Concentrated authority may prevent mob rule.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is concentrated power safer than mass rule?
- What defines an ignorant multitude?
Another view
Elites can also abuse power without public accountability.
More from Napoleon Bonaparte
The allies we gain by victory, will turn against us upon the bare whisper of our defeat.
Permalink to quote #155 The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies.
Permalink to quote #157 The act of policing is, in order to punish less often, to punish more severely.
Permalink to quote #154
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