To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.
Aldous HuxleyRead
This Power Elite directly employs several millions of the country´s working force in its factories, offices and stores, controls many millions more by lending them the money to buy its products, and, through its ownership of the media of mass communication, influences the thoughts, the feelings and the actions of virtually everybody. To parody the words of W. Churchill, never have so many been manipulated so much by few.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the power dynamics between the elite and the masses, illustrating how a small group can exert significant influence over many.
Aldous Huxley's quote critiques the social structure where a powerful elite controls various aspects of society, including the workforce, economy, and mass media. This manipulation allows a select few to shape the ideals, opinions, and behaviors of the broader population, raising questions about autonomy and the effects of concentrated power on democracy and individual thought.
Themes
PowerManipulationEliteMediaInfluenceSociety
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on social justice, this quote can help illustrate the unequal power dynamics present in society.
More from Aldous Huxley
All quotes →Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
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In the course of history many more people have died for their drink and their dope than have died for their religion or their country.
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On no account brood over your wrongdoing. Rolling in the muck is not the best way of getting clean.
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No man ever dared to manifest his boredom so insolently as does a Siamese tomcat when he yawns in the face of his amorously importunate wife.
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The leech's kiss, the squid's embrace, The prurient ape's defiling touch: And do you like the human race? No, not much.
Aldous HuxleyRead
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