The actual quote is even more interesting: "The first step in a fascist movement is the combination under an energetic leader of a number of men who possess more than the average share of leisure, brutality, and stupidity. The next step is to fascinate fools and muzzle the intelligent, by emotional excitement on the one hand and terrorism on the other."
Ruth Nanda Anshen compiled and edited a collection of essays titled “Freedom: Its Meaning”. Within this collection British mathematician and philosopher Bertrand Russell published an essay titled “Freedom and Government.”
another brilliant commentary on this terrifying subject..How are normal people supposed to take this crap for much longer..?
When asked how Fascism starts, Bertrand Russell once said: "First, they fascinate the fools. Then, they muzzle the intelligent."
Great quote! I've never heard it before.
Thanks Richard!
The actual quote is even more interesting: "The first step in a fascist movement is the combination under an energetic leader of a number of men who possess more than the average share of leisure, brutality, and stupidity. The next step is to fascinate fools and muzzle the intelligent, by emotional excitement on the one hand and terrorism on the other."
Ruth Nanda Anshen compiled and edited a collection of essays titled “Freedom: Its Meaning”. Within this collection British mathematician and philosopher Bertrand Russell published an essay titled “Freedom and Government.”
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2024/02/28/fools-muzzle/