Edmund Burke Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"The tyranny of a multitude is a multiplied tyranny."

by:	Edmund Burke (1729-1797) Irish-born British statesman, parliamentary orator, and political thinker
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Categories:	Collectivism, Democracy, Power, Tyranny
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Reader comments about this quote:

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups. -- Joe, North Caldwell, NJ
Democracy is half a multitude, which puts it somewhere between dictatorship and multiplied tyranny -- Denis Jaisson, Freiburg, Germany
just real straight forward ;-) pretty simple -- Mike, Norwalk
Joe , of North Caldwell , says it well and it's especially true around election time . -- jim kilpatrick, austin, tx
The only thing worse is the tyranny of a minority or one over everyone else as in Logans Tutsi/Hutu example, or Saddam Hussein, or Adolph Hitler. Burke is widely respected I understand but this statement is either simplistic or taken out of context. -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas
Tyrannies over the majority are wrong, as are tyrannies over the minority. Whereas Democracies protect against against Tyrannies of the minority, our Republic protects against them both. The foundations of our Republic would not allow the minority to impede upon the rights of the individual, just as it protects against the Democratic dogma to that allows the majority to impede upon the rights of the individual. The Tutsi ruling as the minority has no ties to the U.S. Republic; however, the Hutu carnage and rebelion is as perfect an example of pure Democracy that perhaps exists in the last 100 years. -- Logan, Memphis, TN
The Hutu outnumbered the Tutsi by 2:1 to 4:1... Whether or not the Tutsi oppressed the Hutu before the Hutu Democratic rebellion has no bearing on and no similarities to the U.S. Republic. Every Republic is based on a different establishments and laws; the United States is based on the "laws of nature and of nature's God," by acknowledging "certain inalienable rights" that are "endowed by [our] Creator." For the minority to oppress the individual is as wrong as the majority to oppress the individual. The idealism and belief in Democracy supports the Hutu in slaughtering the Tutsi, because Democracy is pure majority rule every single time-- and the Hutu were clearly the majority. If I remember correctly, Waffler, you said that you believe in absolute majority rule ALL of time? Well, the Hutu savagery is the result of majority rule ALL of the time without exception. I have briefly looked and can find no clearer example of pure Democracy than the Hutu/Tutsi carnage in the last 100 years. The Hutu pillaged, raped, murdered, and dismembered men, women, and children and then left them there to bleed to death -- such is the legacy of Democracy. Burke actually knew his history, this quote is 100% accurate-- even in our day, as we can clearly see between the Hutu and Tutsi. -- Logan, Memphis, TN
It doesn't surprise me that Waffler thinks simple truths are simply taken out of context when it challenges the very foundation of his socialistic sacred cows. But in fact, Burke knew exactly of what he spoke. Waffler is not alone -- he and those that believe the US is a democracy and that we should "make the world safe for democracy" are in fact in the majority. However, as Burke has said, the tyranny of the multitude is a multiplied tyranny, and the Wafflers of this world will likely stamp out any individual who simply rejects the error of 'might makes right.' -- E Archer, NYC
Archer, I smile, too true. -- Mike, Norwalk
Thanks Archer for the compliment that I am in the majority. I was beginning to feel that I was some kind of crazy or something. The soon we get off of this republic versus democracy kick so many of you enjoy the sooner we can have meaningful interaction. -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas 1
Only a bully would take my remark to be a compliment. "Ten million ignorances do not constitute one knowledge." Waffler, you are not crazy, but merely an obedient drone whose indoctrination into government dependence makes you an enemy to the principles upon which America was founded. People who want something for nothing are indeed in the majority in America -- not something I would be proud of, if I were you, Waffler. But you can feel comfortable knowing that you are in prison with millions of others who also share your delusion and never cease to lay responsibility for their lives in someone else's hands -- a perpetual child of a state/parent/guardian. Congratulations -- you are a contented house slave -- a loyalist to your lord, majority opinion and those that create it. Forget about Truth, Liberty, or Responsibility -- it's too much trouble -- and dangerous! -- especially when the majority is against you. Take the safe way -- go with the crowd. The road to hell is wide and well-travelled -- but you are in good company, so its OK. I will, on the other hand, take the road less travelled and muster the Courage to stand on my own two feet, think for myself, provide for myself, and stay out of the way of the stampede heading for the cliff. Sheeple can always be counted on to defend their keepers -- never realizing why they are being taken care of in the first place... -- E Archer, NYC
-- Anonymous
Go Archer! Thank you for the entertaining dissection :-) Keep up the good fight, sir, for myself and for all the anonymous thousands who understand where our country is headed. -- Chastity, Moscow, ID
-- jim k, Austin

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