Kapuściński Quotes on Power and Politics
Ryszard Kapuściński's quotes on power, despotism and politics — from The Emperor, Imperium and Shah of Shahs. Thoughts on the mechanics of rule, dictatorship and revolution.
Translation note: Unless a published English translator is named, the wording on this page is an editorial translation from Polish and may differ from the authorised English-language edition.
A selection of Ryszard Kapuściński’s quotes on power and politics — on the mechanics of despotism, dictatorship and revolution. Thoughts from The Emperor, Imperium and Shah of Shahs.
📖 See also: all quotes by Kapuściński · The Emperor — analysis
On power and despotism
“The vileness of power comes from this: that a small mind is given great possibilities.” — The Emperor
“Where power is absolute, there is no room for individual opinion.” — Imperium
“There is no worse combination than weapons, stupidity and fear. You can then expect the very worst.” — The Emperor
“Humour is a dangerous form of opposition.” — The Emperor
On politics and revolution
“No palace ever falls down by itself.” — The Emperor
“In politics you have to know how to wait. Whoever waits better, wins.” — Christ with a Rifle on His Shoulder
“A dictatorship never falls gradually and bit by bit, but always instantly and completely. To the very end it appears strong, and that is why the day it ceases to exist cannot be predicted.” — Christ with a Rifle on His Shoulder
“There come moments when the smallest event, a mere trifle, some piece of nonsense, will set off a revolution and unleash a war.” — The Emperor
“If a man carrying arms steps a single pace ahead of history, he must perish.” — The Emperor
On power that enslaves
“One of the aims of these operations was to create an uprooted human being, torn out of his culture, his surroundings and his landscape, and thereby more defenceless and more obedient to the demands of the regime.” — Imperium
“If a man held office and did not steal, a void formed around him: he aroused suspicion. Others would say, he must be a spy. Values carried a reversed sign.” — Shah of Shahs
See also
source: kapuscinski.info