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Full Idea
Of what use is eloquence? He who engages in fluency of words to control men often finds himself hated by them.
Gist of Idea
People who control others with fluent language often end up being hated
Source
Kongzi (Confucius) (The Analects (Lunyu) [c.511 BCE], V.5)
Book Ref
Confucius: 'The Sayings of Confucius', ed/tr. Ware,James R. [Mentor 1955], p.39
A Reaction
I don't recall Socrates making this very good point to any of the sophists (such as Gorgias). The idea that if you battle or connive your way to dominance over others then you are successful is false. Life is a much longer game than that.
| 23393 | Confucianism assumes that all good developments have happened, and there is only one Way [Norden on Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7358 | All men prefer outward appearance to true excellence [Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7357 | People who control others with fluent language often end up being hated [Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7359 | Excess and deficiency are equally at fault [Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7360 | Do not do to others what you would not desire yourself [Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7361 | Men of the highest calibre avoid political life completely [Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7362 | Humans are similar, but social conventions drive us apart (sages and idiots being the exceptions) [Kongzi (Confucius)] |
| 7363 | The virtues of the best people are humility, maganimity, sincerity, diligence, and graciousness [Kongzi (Confucius)] |