I have often thought of it as one of the most barbarous customs in the world, considering us as a civilized and a Christian country, that we deny the advantages of learning to women.
Daniel DefoeRead
All men would be tyrants if they could.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that if given absolute power, many individuals would abuse it and act as tyrants. It reflects on the nature of power and human ambition.
Daniel Defoe's quote highlights a fundamental truth about human nature: the tendency towards tyranny when unrestrained by societal norms or ethical considerations. It speaks to the idea that the desire for power can corrupt individuals, leading them to exploit others if they believe they can do so without consequence. This insight encourages a reflection on the structures that limit power and maintain justice in society.
Themes
PowerTyrannyHuman NatureCorruptionAuthority
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a debate on government power and individual freedoms.
More from Daniel Defoe
All quotes βThese reflections made me very sensible of the goodness of Providence to me, and very thankful for my present condition, with all its hardships and misfortunes ; and this part also I cannot but recommend to the reflection of those who are apt, in their misery, to say, Is any affliction like mine? Let them consider how much worse the cases of some people are, and their case might have been, if Providence had thought fit.
Daniel DefoeRead
And which I take notice of here, to put those discontented people in mind of it, who cannot enjoy comfortably what God has given them, because they see and covet something that he has not given them. All our discontents about what we want appeared to me to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.
Daniel DefoeRead
I have since often observed, how incongruous and irrational the common temper of mankind is, especially of youth ... that they are not ashamed to sin, and yet are ashamed to repent; not ashamed of the action for which they ought justly to be esteemed fools, but are ashamed of the returning, which only can make them be esteemed wise men.
Daniel DefoeRead
Thus fear of danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than danger itself when apparent to the eyes ; and we find the burden of anxiety greater, by much, than the evil which we are anxious about.
Daniel DefoeRead
I hear much of people's calling out to punish the guilty, but very few are concerned to clear the innocent.
Daniel DefoeRead
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Prudishness is pretense of innocence without innocence. Women have to remain prudish as long as men are sentimental, dense, and evil enough to demand of them eternal innocence and lack of education. For innocence is the only thing which can ennoble lack of education.
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The longest tyranny that ever sway'd_x000D_ _x000D_ Was that wherein our ancestors betray'd_x000D_ _x000D_ Their free-born reason to the Stagirite [Aristotle],_x000D_ _x000D_ And made his torch their universal light._x000D_ _x000D_ So truth, while only one suppli'd the state,_x000D_ _x000D_ Grew scarce, and dear, and yet sophisticate.
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I learned the significance of my own insignificant life.
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The real cost of the State is the prosperity we do not see, the jobs that donβt exist, the technologies to which we do not have access, the businesses that do not come into existence, and the bright future that is stolen from us. The State has looted us just as surely as a robber who enters our home at night and steals all that we love.
Frederic BastiatRead