The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Democracy is four wolves and a sheep voting on dinner.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote illustrates the potential tyranny of the majority in a democracy.
Robert A. Heinlein's quote compares democracy to a scenario where the interests of a few dominant wolves outweigh those of an individual sheep, highlighting the risk that majority rule can lead to the oppression of minority groups. In essence, it serves as a cautionary reminder of how democratic processes can be manipulated or result in decisions that favor the powerful over the vulnerable.
Themes
DemocracyTyrannyMajorityMinorityPolitics
In practice
Example use cases
During a political debate to illustrate the need for protecting minority rights.
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Democracy is a poor system of government at best; the only thing that can honestly be said in its favor is that it is eight times as good as any other method the human race has ever tried.
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Long human words (the longer the better) were easy, unmistakable, and rarely changed their meanings . . . but short words were slippery, unpredictable, changing their meanings without any pattern.
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Progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things.
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When a place gets crowded enough to require ID's, social collapse is not far away. It is time to go elsewhere. The best thing about space travel is that it made it possible to go elsewhere.
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