Needs sourcesMost quotes start here until readers rate them or add a source — you can help.

If there is one fact we really can prove, from the history that we really do know, it is that despotism can be a development, often a late development and very often indeed the end of societies that have been highly democratic. A despotism may almost be defined as a tired democracy. As fatigue falls on a community, the citizens are less inclined for that eternal vigilance which has truly been called the price of liberty; and they prefer to arm only one single sentinel to watch the city while they sleep.

G.K. Chesterton The Everlasting Man

Added by Postmilstill archive ·

Where this is from

Work title, edition, or primary text used to cite this quote.

The Everlasting Man

Margin notes

Discussion

Share context, ask questions, or discuss this quote. Comments are separate from source proposals and verification ratings.

All discussions →

    No comments yet.

Loading…

More from G.K. Chesterton

Other quotes from the same author or related sources.

All quotes by G.K. Chesterton