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About this quote

What does it mean?
Reich claims people let those in power claim to act for the common man while staying silent, which ultimately defrauds them.
In plain terms
Silence lets power claim to represent the little man.
What can you take from it?
Speak up to avoid being duped by those in power.

Where it applies

  • political activism
  • community meetings

Putting it to work

  • voice concerns publicly
  • challenge authority

Questions to consider

  • When have you stayed silent about power?
  • How can you safely voice dissent?

Another view

Not all leaders are deceitful; some genuinely aim to help.

More from Wilhelm Reich

  1. Every physician, shoemaker, mechanic or educator must know his shortcomings if he is to do his work and make his living. For some decades, you have begun to pl…

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  2. See yourself as you really are. Listen to what none of your leaders and representatives dares tell you: You are a 'little, common man.' Understand the double m…

    Permalink to quote #43
  3. I have never heard you complain: 'You promote me to be the future master of myself and the world, but you don't tell me how one is to be the master of oneself,…

    Permalink to quote #40

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