Crime is fast destroying the moral fabric of South African cities, and is becoming a major threat to South African democracy as well as the prominent manifestation of a "class war" that is largely a continuation of the "race war" of yesterday.
Interpretation
Crime undermines the ethical foundations of society and poses a significant risk to democracy.
Achille Mbembe's quote highlights the detrimental effects of crime on the moral integrity of South African cities, suggesting that crime is not just a social issue but rather poses a significant threat to democracy. He draws a parallel between contemporary crime and historical socio-political conflicts, indicating that the current struggles can be viewed as a continuation of past 'class' and 'race' wars, thus inviting a deeper examination of social justice and equality in South Africa.
In practice
In a speech about urban development, one might cite this quote to emphasize the importance of addressing crime to ensure democracy.
The real secrets of Masonry are never told, not even from mouth to ear. For the real secret of Masonry is spoken to your heart and from it to the heart of your brother. Never the language made for tongue may speak it, it is uttered only in the eye in those manifestations of that love which a man has for his friend, which passeth all other loves.
It is one of the consolations of philosophy that the benefit of showing how to dispense with a concept does not hinge on dispensing with it.
Obsessed by a fairy tale, we spend our lives searching for a magic door and a lost kingdom of peace.
Observe always that everything is the result of a change, and get used to thinking that there is nothing Nature loves so well as to change existing forms and to make new ones like them.
Some men get the world, some men get ex-hookers and a trip to Arizona. You're in with the former, but my God I don't envy the blood on your conscience.
As it turned out, though, it was a lot easier to say that someone deserved to die for what they did than it was to take the responsibility to make that happen.
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