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As a rule, all heroism is due to a lack of reflection, and thus it is necessary to maintain a mass of imbeciles. If they once understand themselves the ruling men will be lost.

Ernest Renan
Reflection, Men, Atheism
"Caliban: A Philosophical Drama Continuing 'The Tempest' of William Shakespeare". Book by Ernest Renan (Act 2, Scene 1), 1878.
As a rule, all heroism is due to a lack of reflection, and thus it is necessary to maintain a mass of imbeciles. If they once understand themselves the ruling men will be lost.