It sounds to me, young one," Haddek said, "that you are searching for something that cannot be found." "The truth?" Sazed said. "No," Haddek replied. "A religion that requires no faith of its believers.
Brandon SandersonRead
The most dangerous kind of man is not the one who spent his youth shoving others around. That kind of man gets lazy, and is often too content with his life to be truly dangerous. The man who spent his youth being shoved around, however … When that man gets a little power and authority, he often uses it to become a tyrant on par with the worst warlords in history.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Those who have experienced oppression may become tyrants when they gain power.
This quote suggests that individuals who have been marginalized or oppressed in their youth can become harmful and abusive when they are given power and authority. Unlike those who have always been in power and become complacent, the oppressed may develop a desire for control that can lead to tyranny when the tables are turned. It reflects on the complexities of human nature and the potential for darkness in those who have suffered.
Themes
PowerTyrannyOppressionAuthorityHuman Nature
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about leadership styles, one might quote this to highlight the dangers of those who have been oppressed gaining power.
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At first glance, the key and the lock it fits may seem very different," Sazed said. "Different in shape, different in function, different in design. The man who looks at them without knowledge of their true nature might think them opposites, for one is meant to open, and the other to keep closed. Yet, upon closer examination he might see that without one, the other becomes useless. The wise man then sees that both lock and key were created for the same purpose.
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Every action we take has consequences, Vin," Kelsier said. "I've found that in both Allomancy and life, the person who can best judge the consequences of their actions will be the most successful.
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