There are three kinds of despots. There is the despot who tyrannizes over the body. There is the despot who tyrannizes over the soul. There is the despot who tyrannizes over the soul and body alike. The first is called the Prince. The second is called the Pope. The third is called the People.

Summary

This quote suggests that there are three types of oppressive rulers. The first type is the political ruler who controls the physical actions and behaviors of their subjects, known as the "Prince." The second type is the religious ruler who controls the beliefs and thoughts of people, referred to as the "Pope." Lastly, the quote highlights that even the collective power of the people itself has the potential to become a form of despotism, where both the body and soul are oppressed. In essence, the quote underscores how power can be exerted in different ways and warns against the dangers of absolute authority.

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