People are no more attracted by scare-crows than birds are.
 Victor Hugo, Ninety-Three (1874). copy citation

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Author Victor Hugo
Source Ninety-Three
Topic scare bird
Date 1874
Language English
Reference
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Weblink https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ninety-three

Context

“"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, these are dogmas of peace and harmony. Why make them appear frightful? What is it that we wish for? To subject the people to one common Republic. Well, let us not make them afraid. What is the good of intimidation? People are no more attracted by scare-crows than birds are. It is not necessary to do evil in order to accomplish good. The throne is not overturned to leave the scaffold standing. Death to kings and life to nations! Let us knock off the crowns, let us spare the heads!” source