Seneca the Younger Quotes

The tyrant is only the slave turned inside out.

No dictator, no invader, can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever.

We shall not fight for the preservation of the enemy, which has laid waste with death and desolation the fields and hills of Ireland for 700 years.

People demand freedom only when they have no power.

Where the law ends tyranny begins.

A heavy aristocracy and corruption are two bridles in the mouths of a people which will prevent them from making any effectual efforts against their masters.

No one can go on being a rebel too long without becoming an autocrat.

Revolution is engendered by an indignation with tyranny, yet is itself pregnant with tyranny

Coalitions are but the unjust subjection of one people to another.

Whether the institution to be defended is slavery, political absolutism, or the absolutism of the head of a family, we are always expected to judge of it from its best instances; and we are presented with pictures of loving exercise of authority on one side, loving submission to it on the other

Necessity, the tyrant's plea.

You only have power over people so long as you don’t take everything away from them. But when you’ve robbed a man of everything he’s no longer in your power — he’s free again.

The tyranny of some is possible only through the cowardice of others.

For some people, being free means being free to keep their feet on someone else's chest.

... the keynote of government is injustice.

The harshest tyranny is that which acts under the protection of legality and the banner of justice.

Unjust rule does not last forever.

Make men large and strong and tyranny will bankrupt itself in making shackles for them.

Unjust force can never give any just dominion.

Under the rule of a repressive whole, liberty can be made into a powerful instrument of domination.

Any excuse will serve a tyrant.

It's a great feeling to know that 100 cops want to stop you doing something and they can't.

Conquerors never, never conquer a nation to bring freedom. They brought control.

Five or six hundred heads cut off would have assured your repose, freedom and happiness.

Everywhere that freedom stirs, let tyrants fear.