The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.
John LennonRead
The love of their country is with them only a mode of flattering its master; as soon as they think that master can no longer hear, they speak of everything with a frankness which is the more startling because those who listen to it become responsible.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that people often express their true feelings about their country only when they believe those in power are not listening.
Marquis De Custine highlights the tendency of individuals to temper their criticisms of authority when they feel that their leaders are paying attention. However, in the absence of perceived oversight, people are more candid in expressing their thoughts about governance and patriotism, revealing a striking contrast between public and private sentiments. This dynamic raises questions about authenticity in expressions of loyalty and the impact of accountability on speech.
Themes
PatriotismAuthorityFranknessCriticismExpression
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a political debate about freedom of expression.
Similar quotes
Freedom is not the permission to do what you like. It's the power to do what you ought.
Os GuinnessRead
Death laid its eggs in the wound
Federico Garcia LorcaRead
All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind.
Khalil GibranRead
Chaos of thought and passion, all confused; Still by himself abused or disabused; Created half to rise, and half to fall; Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all; Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled,- The glory, jest, and riddle of the world.
Alexander PopeRead
It had never occurred to him that the body of a woman of fifty, blown up to monstrous dimensions by childbearing, then hardened, roughened by work til it was coarse in the grain like an overripe turnip, could be beautiful. But is was so, and after all, he thought, why not?
George OrwellRead