Those who lack the capacity to achieve much in an atmosphere of freedom will clamor for power.
Tag: Eric Hoffer
(1902-1983) American author, philosopher, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Losses under totalitarianism
Totalitarianism spells simplification: an enormous reduction in the variety
of aims, motives, interests, human types, and, above all, in the categories and units of power.
Minority rule
It is maintained that a society is free only when dissenting minorities have room to throw their weight around. As a matter of fact, a dissenting minority feels free only when it can impose its will on the majority: what it abominates most is the dissent of the majority.
Power demands submission
Absolute power corrupts even when exercised for humane purposes. The benevolent despot who sees himself as a shepherd of the people still demands from others the submissiveness of sheep. The taint inherent in absolute power is not its inhumanity but its anti-humanity.