Democracy divides people into workers and loafers. It makes no provision for those who have no time to work.
Karl KrausRead
The secret of the demagogue is to make himself as stupid as his audience so they believe they are clever as he.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Demagogues manipulate their audience by dumbing themselves down, creating a false sense of intelligence among the listeners.
In this quote, Karl Kraus suggests that demagogues have a strategy of appealing to the lowest common denominator of their audience's intellect. By simplifying their message and behaving in a way that resonates with the audienceβs misconceptions, these leaders foster a belief that their followers are brighter than they actually are. This tactic not only secures loyalty but also enables the demagogue to gain power by exploiting the audience's own biases and ignorance.
Themes
DemagogueManipulationIgnoranceIntellectAudience
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a political discussion to highlight the tactics of certain leaders.
More from Karl Kraus
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Stupidity is an elemental force for which no earthquake is a match.
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Experiences are savings which a miser puts aside. Wisdom is an inheritance which a wastrel cannot exhaust.
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Sexuality poorly repressed unsettles some families; well repressed, it unsettles the whole world.
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