Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
This quote portrays Cromwell in extremely harsh terms, labeling him a tyrant and hypocrite responsible for bloodshed. It reflects a strong contemporary criticism of his rule and ambitions.
In plain terms
Cromwell is described as a cruel tyrant who killed many brave people.
What can you take from it?
Opponents often view ambitious leaders as monsters.

Where it applies

  • historical debate
  • political propaganda
  • war reporting

Putting it to work

  • recognize bias in historical accounts
  • seek multiple perspectives on leaders

Questions to consider

  • How do victors write history?
  • What defines a tyrant?

Another view

Such language reflects extreme bias rather than objective fact.

More from Oliver Cromwell

  1. In short, every beast hath some evil properties; but Cromwell hath the properties of all evil beasts.

    Permalink to quote #95
  2. He would sometimes be very cheerful with us, and laying aside his greatness he would be exceeding familiar with us, and by way of diversion would make verses w…

    Permalink to quote #94
  3. As to your own person the title of King would be of no advantage, because you have the full Kingly power in you already... I apprehend indeed, less envy and da…

    Permalink to quote #93

Related quotes

  1. Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell; and George the Third - ['Treason!' cried the Speaker] - may profit by their example. If this be treason,…

    Patrick HenryPatrick Henry quote #1
  2. Popery is such a thing as cannot, but for want of a word to express it, be called a religion; nor is it to be mentioned with that civility which is otherwise d…

    Andrew MarvellAndrew Marvell quote #1
  3. George W. Bush is a man who seems to be the center of his own universe. He seems to have learned little of human nature and even less of human history over his…

    Robert ByrdRobert Byrd quote #1