Man, in spite of his fatal degradation, bears always the evident marks of his divine origin, in that every universal belief is always more or less true.
Joseph De MaistreRead
All grandeur, all power, and all subordination to authority rests on the executioner: he is the horror and the bond of human association. Remove this incomprehensible agent from the world and at that very moment order gives way to chaos, thrones topple and society disappears.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the central role of authority and its enforcers in maintaining societal order.
Joseph De Maistre's quote suggests that the presence of an executioner, or authority, is crucial for the stability of society. Without this figure, who enforces laws and order, society would descend into chaos, highlighting the paradox of power and fear that holds civilization together.
Themes
AuthorityChaosSocietyOrderPower
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the necessity of law enforcement in maintaining peace in society.
More from Joseph De Maistre
All quotes →Man is insatiable for power; he is infantile in his desires and, always discontented with what he has, loves only what he has not. People complain of the despotism of princes; they ought to complain of the despotism of man.
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A constitution that is made for all nations is made for none.
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False opinions are like false money, struck first of all by guilty men and thereafter circulated by honest people who perpetuate the crime without knowing what they are doing.
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Reason speaks in words alone, but love has a song.
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Man in harmony with his Creator is sublime, and his action is creative; equally, once he separates himself from God and acts alone, he does not cease to be powerful, since this is the privilege of his nature, but his acts are negative and lead only to destruction.
Joseph De MaistreRead
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