"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive"
- C. S. Lewis
About this Quote
This quote by C. S. Lewis talks to the idea that even when a tyranny is exercised with the objective of doing excellent, it can still be oppressive. This is because individuals who are subject to the tyranny are not given the chance to make their own choices and are rather forced to adhere to the choices of the tyrant. This can cause a feeling of powerlessness and an absence of autonomy, which can be oppressive in and of itself. Additionally, the tyranny may not really be advantageous to the victims, as the tyrant may not have the best interests of the victims in mind. This can cause further oppression, as the victims are not able to make decisions that remain in their own benefits. Ultimately, this quote works as a suggestion that even when a tyranny is worked out with excellent intents, it can still be oppressive.