Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
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When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest...and there is nothing to fear from them, then he is always stirring up some war
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that a tyrant, having eliminated external threats, tends to create conflict to maintain control and distract from internal issues.
Plato's quote highlights a common trait of tyrannical rulers: the propensity to initiate conflict even after overcoming foreign adversaries. Once a tyrant feels secure from external threats, they may turn to instigating wars or conflicts, not necessarily for survival, but to unify their power by distracting the populace and reinforcing their authority. This reflects on the nature of power and control, indicating that leaders may manipulate situations to maintain their dominance and suppress dissent.
Themes
TyrannyWarConflictPowerControl
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a political debate to highlight the dangers of unchecked power.
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