Utopia Philosophical Viewpoints: Political Philosophy Quotes Page 2
(Book.Page) based on the 1989 Cambridge University Press edition
| Quote #4 At the same time [counsellors] endorse and flatter the most absurd statements of the prince's special favorites, through whose influence they hope to stand well with the prince. (1.14) |
This sound-bite is pretty representative of Hythloday's general attitude toward political life: courts are places for flattery, not philosophical honesty.
| Quote #5 When I had finished this account, I added that I saw no reason why this policy could not be adopted even in England [...] but the lawyer replied that such a system could never be practiced [...] without putting the commonwealth in danger (1.25) |
Idealism, meet realism. Hythloday uses this as an example of why his voice would not be welcome in a Renaissance court.
| Quote #6 No wonder we are so far from happiness when philosophers do not condescend even to assist kings with their counsel (1.28) |
We hear you, More. But does Hythloday? How can politics improve philosophically if there are no, um, philosophers?
