Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Institutions like law and religion can be twisted to create confinement or immorality.
In plain terms
Rules and beliefs can be used to hurt people.
What can you take from it?
Institutions can be used for control.

Where it applies

  • social critique
  • political debate
  • ethical discussions

Putting it to work

  • question authority
  • examine beliefs
  • spot hypocrisy

Questions to consider

  • How do rules limit freedom?
  • Is tradition always good?

Another view

This view is cynical about structured systems.

More from William Blake

  1. If the fool would persist in his folly he would become wise.

    Permalink to quote #66
  2. The pride of the peacock is the glory of God. The lust of the goat is the bounty of God. The wrath of the lion is the wisdom of God. The nakedness of woman is …

    Permalink to quote #68
  3. No bird soars too high, if he soars with his own wings.

    Permalink to quote #65

Related quotes

  1. The idea is that the state doesn't have rights to limit individuals' wants and passions. I disagree with that. I think we absolutely have rights because there …

    Rick SantorumRick Santorum quote #6
  2. The disposition of mankind, whether as rulers or as fellow-citizens, to impose their own opinions and inclinations as a rule of conduct on others, is so energe…

    John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill quote #18
  3. It is startling that those in the media and academia appear most disturbed by this aberrant behavior, since they have zealously promoted moral relativism by sa…

    Rick SantorumRick Santorum quote #1