Democracy is four wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Interpretation
This quote criticizes democracy by highlighting the potential tyranny of the majority over the minority.
Ambrose Bierce's quote uses a stark metaphor of wolves and a lamb to illustrate the potential dangers of democracy when the majority can dominate and decide the fate of the minority. It suggests that democratic systems can lead to outcomes that are unjust for those who are outnumbered, raising questions about the true fairness and morality of majority rule.
In practice
In a debate on political systems, one might use this quote to illustrate the critique of democracy.
PALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.
Indigestion: A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the Western Wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: 'Plenty well, no pray; big belly ache, heap God.'
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only by a process of reasoning - which is a phenomenon.
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
We're all complicit in the things we may be trying to oppose. I'm complicit in the things that I'm trying to oppose.
Ask yourselves this question: How often is Jesus inside and knocking at the door to be let out, to come out?
Of our relation to all creation we can never know anything whatsoever. All is immensity and chaos. But, since all this knowledge of our limitations cannot possibly be of any value to us, it is better to ignore it in our daily conduct of life.
A man falling into dark waters seeks a momentary footing even on sliding stones.
I think it's one of the scars in our culture that we have too high an opinion of ourselves. We align ourselves with the angels instead of the higher primates.
I'm sure I would still have anxiety even if I got a bunch of surgery, and was the most conventionally attractive, cis-passing woman in the world; I think those are traumas that never go away.
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