In my opinion, he only may be truly said to live and enjoy his being who is engaged in some laudable pursuit, and acquires a name by some illustrious action, or useful art.
SallustRead
Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that not everyone truly values freedom; many prefer the comfort of being under a fair authority.
Sallust's quote reflects on the nature of human desires regarding freedom and authority. It implies that while liberty is often spoken about as a valued ideal, the reality is that many individuals prefer the security and structure provided by a just ruler over the challenges and responsibilities that come with true freedom. This observation points to a fundamental aspect of human natureβoften people seek stability and guidance rather than the complexities that accompany autonomy.
Themes
LibertyAuthorityFreedomMasterDesire
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about political freedom and governance, one could quote Sallust to illustrate the complex relationship between liberty and authority.
More from Sallust
All quotes βA good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by evil means.
SallustRead
Prosperity tries the souls even of the wise.
SallustRead
He that will be angry for anything will be angry for nothing.
SallustRead
The glory that goes with wealth is fleeting and fragile; virtue is a possession glorious and eternal.
SallustRead
Most honorable are services rendered to the State; even if they do not go beyond words, they are not to be despised.
SallustRead
Similar quotes
It is more important to be free than to be happy.
Tom RobbinsRead
To take revenge halfheartedly is to court disaster; either condemn or crown your hatred.
Pierre CorneilleRead
That space the Evil One abstracted stood From his own evil, and for the time remained Stupidly good, of enmity disarmed, Of guile, of hate, of envy, of revenge .
John MiltonRead
After all, if there is no class stratification in a society, it follows that there is no state, because the state arose as an instrument to be used by a particular class to control the rest of society in its own interests.
Walter RodneyRead
Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all - the apathy of human beings.
Helen KellerRead
He's got hands so long and white and dainty I think they carved each other out of soap, and sometimes they get loose and glide around in front of him free as two white birds until he notices them and traps them between his knees; it bothers him that he's got pretty hands.
Ken KeseyRead