"Power and violence are opposites; where the one rules absolutely, the other is absent. Violence appears where power is in jeopardy, but left to its own course it ends in power's disappearance"
- Hannah Arendt
About this Quote
This quote by Hannah Arendt suggests that power and violence are 2 opposing forces. Power is the ability to manage and influence, while violence is making use of physical force to cause harm. When power is absolute, violence is absent. However, when power is threatened, violence is used to protect it. However if violence is left unattended, it can lead to the failure of power. This quote implies that power and violence need to be balanced in order for either to exist. Too much power can lead to tyranny, while too much violence can cause turmoil. Therefore, it is important to maintain a balance between power and violence in order to make sure a stable society.