There is something about the state putting the power to bully into the hands of subnormal, sadistic apes that makes my blood boil.
Interpretation
This quote critiques the misuse of power by those who are unfit for it.
Gore Vidal's quote expresses frustration and anger at how power can fall into the hands of individuals who lack the moral integrity or capability to wield it responsibly. It highlights the dangers of a system that allows unqualified or cruel people to control and bully others, stirring a visceral reaction against such abuse of authority.
In practice
In a speech about political accountability, this quote can illustrate the dangers of unchecked power.
We must declare ourselves, become known; allow the world to discover this subterranean life of ours which connects kings and farm boys, artists and clerks. Let them see that the important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.
Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.
The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
For the average American, freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.
Ayn Rand's 'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality, which makes the size of her audience all the more ominous and symptomatic as we enter a curious new phase in our society.... To justify and extol human greed and egotism is to my mind not only immoral, but evil.
A good cause need not be tarnished by its most fanatical expressions. But it is rarely helped by them.
The aging process is not gradual or gentle. It rushes up, pushes you over, and runs off laughing. No one should grow old who isn't ready to appear ridiculous.
Primroses and landscapes, he pointed out, have one grave defect: they are gratuitous. A love of nature keeps no factories busy. It was decided to abolish the love of nature, at any rate among the lower classes. . . . it was essential that they should keep on going to the country, even though they hated it.
One of the greatest opportunities to live our values-or betray them-lies in the food we put on our plates.
Man is troubled not by events, but by the meaning he gives them.
Aristotle may be regarded as the cultural barometer of Western history. Whenever his influence dominated the scene, it paved the way for one of history's brilliant eras; whenever it fell, so did mankind.
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