Some people draw a comforting distinction between force and violence. I refuse to cloud the issue by such word-play. The power which establishes a state is violence; the power which maintains it is violence; the power which eventually overthrows it is violence. Call an elephant a rabbit only if it gives you comfort to feel that you are about to be trampled to death by a rabbit.

Summary

This quote challenges the notion of a comforting distinction between force and violence. It argues that labeling different forms of power as something other than violence is an attempt to avoid confronting the true nature of power. Whether it is used to establish, maintain, or overthrow a state, the quote suggests that power ultimately relies on violence. The comparison drawn between an elephant and a rabbit seeks to emphasize the absurdity of denying the reality of violence when faced with its consequences.

Topics