Sheep run to the slaughterhouse, silent and hopeless, but at least sheep never vote for the butcher who kills them or the people who devour them. More beastly than any beast, more sheepish than any sheep, the voter names his own executioner and chooses his own devourer, and for this precious "right" a revolution was fought.
Interpretation
The quote critiques the irony of voters choosing their own oppressors, reflecting on the absurdity of democratic choices.
Octave Mirbeau's quote highlights the paradox of democracy, where citizens willingly choose leaders who may oppress them, akin to sheep ignoring their fate as they march to slaughter. It suggests a critical view of how people participate in a system that does not necessarily serve their best interests, even as they believe they are exercising their rights. This thought-provoking commentary invites reflection on the nature of choice, responsibility, and agency in a democratic society, emphasizing the tension between freedom and subjugation.
In practice
In a political debate to illustrate the consequences of uninformed voting choices.
Children, by nature, are keen, passionate and curious. What was referred to as laziness is often merely an awakening of sensitivity, a psychological inability to submit to certain absurd duties, and a natural result of the distorted, unbalanced education given to them. This laziness, which leads to an insuperable reluctance to learn, is, contrary to appearances, sometimes proof of intellectual superiority and a condemnation of the teacher.
While I was an honorable man in her eyes, she did not love me. But the minute she understood what I was, when she breathed the true and foul odor of my soul, love was born in her – for she does love me! Well, well! There is nothing real, then, except evil.
That no government, so called, can reasonably be trusted, or reasonably be supposed to have honest purposes in view, any longer than it depends wholly upon voluntary support.
The Iranian government is undoubtedly a severe danger to its own population, but not beyond that.
For more than four decades, the Libyan people have been ruled by a tyrant - Moammar Gaddafi. He has denied his people freedom, exploited their wealth, murdered opponents at home and abroad, and terrorized innocent people around the world - including Americans who were killed by Libyan agents.
This government has been informed that a Jewish state has been proclaimed in Palestine, and recognition has been requested by the provisional government thereof. The United States recognizes the provisional government as the de facto authority of the new State of Israel.
Politicians must set their aims for the high ground and according to our various leanings, Democratic, Republican, Independent, we will follow. Politicians must be told if they continue to sink into the mud of obscenity, they will proceed alone.
Terrorism works better as a tactic for dictatorships, or for would-be dictators, than for revolutionaries .
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