Single Idea 1541

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / a. Nature of democracy]

Full Idea

Poverty in a democracy is as preferable to what is called prosperity under autocracy as freedom is to slavery.

Gist of Idea

It is better to be poor in a democracy than be rich without freedom

Source

Democritus (attrib) (reports [c.250 BCE], B251), quoted by John Stobaeus - Anthology 3.40.42

Book Reference

'The First Philosophers', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 2000], p.191