“ Nothing can oblige a man to do what he does not choose except physical force, or the threat of it, that is—deprivation of freedom, blows, imprisonment, or threats—easily carried out—of such punishments. ”
Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God Is Within You (1894). copy citation
Author | Leo Tolstoy |
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Source | The Kingdom of God Is Within You |
Topic | punishment freedom |
Date | 1894 |
Language | English |
Reference | |
Note | Translated by Constance Garnett |
Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4602/pg4602-images.html |
Context
“Authority, in the sense in which the word is ordinarily understood, is a means of forcing a man to act in opposition to his desires. The man who submits to authority does not do as he chooses but as he is obliged by authority. Nothing can oblige a man to do what he does not choose except physical force, or the threat of it, that is—deprivation of freedom, blows, imprisonment, or threats—easily carried out—of such punishments. This is what authority consists of and always has consisted of.
In spite of the unceasing efforts of those who happen to be in authority to conceal this and attribute some other significance to it, authority has always meant for man the cord, the chain with which he is bound and fettered, or the knout with which he is to be flogged, or the ax with which he is to have hands, ears, nose, or head cut off, or at the very least, the threat of these terrors.”
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