Traitors who prevail are patriots; usurpers who succeed are divine emperors.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that those who gain power, regardless of how they do so, are often celebrated and viewed as heroes or divine figures.
Gore Vidal's quote highlights the moral ambiguity in the perceptions of power and loyalty. It implies that the narrative of who is considered a traitor or a patriot can shift based on success; those who previously might have been seen as disloyal can become celebrated figures if they achieve their aims. This serves to reflect on the nature of power, ambition, and the subjective definitions of loyalty and betrayal in society.
In practice
This quote could be used in a political debate to highlight the complexities of power dynamics.
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.
In Kosovo, the U.S. has chosen a course of action that escalates atrocities and violence. It is also a course of action that strikes a blow against the regime of international order, but which offers the weak at least some protection from predatory states.
So efficient are the available instruments of slavery; fingerprints, lie detectors, brain washings, gas chambers; that we shiver at the thought of political change which might put these instruments in the hands of men of hate.
NGOs have a complicated space in neoliberal politics. They are supposed to mop up the anger. Even when they are doing good work, they are supposed to maintain the status quo. They are the missionaries of the corporate world.
Government should fear the people, not the other way around.
Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion,and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such purpose - and you allow him to make war at pleasure.
The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity.
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