Less glory is more liberty. When the drum is silent, reason sometimes speaks.
Albert PikeRead
Two forms of government are favorable to the prevalence of falsehood and deceit. Under a Despotism, men are false, treacherous, and deceitful through fear, like slaves dreading the lash. Under a Democracy they are so as a means of attaining popularity and office, and because of the greed for wealth.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques both despotism and democracy for fostering deceit and falsehood among people.
Albert Pike's quote examines the moral compromises individuals make under different systems of government. In a despotism, fear drives people to deceitful behavior to avoid punishment, while in a democracy, the pursuit of power and wealth can lead individuals to be dishonest, as they manipulate truths to gain favor and popularity.
Themes
GovernmentDeceitFalsehoodDemocracyDespotismTruthMorality
In practice
Example use cases
During a political debate, one might use this quote to highlight the shortcomings of both political systems in fostering honesty.
More from Albert Pike
All quotes →He who endeavors to serve, to benefit, and improve the world, is like a swimmer, who struggles against a rapid current, in a river lashed into angry waves by the winds. Often they roar over his head, often they beat him back and baffle him. Most men yield to the stress of the current... Only here and there the stout, strong heart and vigorous arms struggle on toward ultimate success.
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Let us drink together, fellows, as we did in days of yore. And still enjoy the golden hours that Fortune has in store; The absent friends remembered be, in all that’s sung or said, And Love immortal consecrate the memory of the dead.
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War is a series of catastrophes which result in victory.
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What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.
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Philosophy is a kind of journey, ever learning yet never arriving at the ideal perfection of truth.
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