Etienne de La Boetie Quotes

France, Philosopher
November 1, 1530 – August, 18, 1563.

Étienne or Estienne de La Boétie was a French judge, writer and "a founder of modern political philosophy in France". He is best remembered as the great and close friend of the eminent essayist Michel de Montaigne "in one of history's most notable friendships", as well as an earlier influence for anarchist thought.

Also known as Judge, Writer

It has always happened that tyrants, in order to strengthen their power, have made every effort to train their people not only in obedience and servility toward themselves, but also in adoration.

Etienne de La Boetie
- Train
- Obedience
- Tyrants
Liberty is the natural condition of the people. Servitude, however, is fostered when people are raised in subjection. People are trained to adore rulers. While freedom is forgotten by many there are always some who will never submit.

Etienne de La Boetie

It is incredible how as soon as a people become subject, it promptly falls into such complete forgetfulness of its freedom that it can hardly be roused to the point of regaining it, obeying so easily and willingly that one is led to say that this people has not so much lost its liberty as won its enslavement.

Etienne de La Boetie
Resolve to serve no more, and you are at once freed.

Etienne de La Boetie
- Serve
- Resolve
- Freed
Resolve to serve no more, and you are at once freed. I do not ask that you place hands upon the tyrant to topple him over, but simply that you support him no longer; then you will behold him, like a great Colossus whose pedestal has been pulled away, fall of his own weight and break into pieces.

Etienne de La Boetie
- Support
- Weight
- Resolve