He who thinks and thinks for himself, will always have a claim to thanks; it is no matter whether it be right or wrong, so as it be explicit. If it is right, it will serve as a guide to direct; if wrong, as a beacon to warn.
Jeremy BenthamRead
Tyranny and anarchy are never far apart.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Tyranny and anarchy often exist on a spectrum, where one can lead to the other.
Jeremy Bentham's quote suggests a close relationship between tyranny and anarchy, indicating that oppressive governance can easily tip into chaos, while chaotic conditions can lead to oppressive rule. This reflects the fragile balance of power and societal order, illustrating how extremes in governance can revert to the opposite extreme, highlighting the need for a stable and just system.
Themes
TyrannyAnarchyGovernancePowerSociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about the balance of power in government, one might say, 'Remember, tyranny and anarchy are never far apart.'
More from Jeremy Bentham
All quotes βCreate all the happiness you are able to create; remove all the misery you are able to remove. Every day will allow you, --will invite you to add something to the pleasure of others, --or to diminish something of their pains.
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Nature has placed mankind under the government of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure... they govern us in all we do, in all we say, in all we think: every effort we can make to throw off our subjection, will serve but to demonstrate and confirm it.
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Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do.
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It is the greatest good to the greatest number of people which is the measure of right and wrong.
Jeremy BenthamRead
Without publicity, no good is permanent; under the auspices of publicity, no evil can continue.
Jeremy BenthamRead
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