"Political tyranny is nothing compared to the social tyranny and a reformer who defies society is a more courageous man than a politician who defies Government"
- B. R. Ambedkar
About this Quote
This quote by B. R. Ambedkar speaks with the power of social standards and expectations. He recommends that the tyranny of social standards is more oppressive than the tyranny of political systems. He implies that those who challenge social norms are more bold than those who challenge political systems. This is due to the fact that social norms are deeply deep-rooted in our culture and can be tough to challenge. Ambedkar's quote encourages us to believe seriously about the power of social standards and to think about how we can challenge them in order to produce a more fair society. He recommends that those who are brave enough to challenge social standards are more brave than those who challenge political systems. Ultimately, Ambedkar's quote motivates us to consider how we can utilize our guts to produce a more just and fair society.
"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion"