terça-feira, 22 de fevereiro de 2011

Profeta da nossa era?


Já andava no meu radar há algum tempo. Hoje, lendo o blog do Mises Institute, dou de conta com a seguinte passagem do opúsculo de Étienne de la Boétie (1530-1563) representado na figura acima (realce meu):
«There are three kinds of tyrants; some receive their proud position through elections by the people, others by force of arms, others by inheritance. Those who have acquired power by means of war act in such wise that it is evident they rule over a conquered country. Those who are born to kingship are scarcely any better, because they are nourished on the breast of tyranny, suck in with their milk the instincts of the tyrant, and consider the people under them as their inherited serfs; and according to their individual disposition, miserly or prodigal, they treat their kingdom as their property. He who has received the state from the people, however, ought to be, it seems to me, more bearable and would be so, I think, were it not for the fact that as soon as he sees himself higher than the others, flattered by that quality which we call grandeur, he plans never to relinquish his position.»

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