Noam Chomsky Quotes

International affairs is very much run like the mafia. The godfather does not accept disobedience, even from a small storekeeper who doesn't pay his protection money. You have to have obedience; otherwise, the idea can spread that you don't have to listen to the orders, and it can spread to important places.

Back in those days intimidation was the greatest tool the drill instructor had. Without that tool, he would not have had control.

Coercion is the basis of every law in the universe.

Once a person insists on how you are to think he immediately begins to insist on how you are to behave.

What I've called "the Mafia doctrine" in many publications: when the Godfather issues an edict, others must obey, or else. It's too dangerous to allow disobedience. A leading principle of world affairs - though, of course, officials and commentators put it more politely.

I would rather you love me, but if not love, fear will do.

The desire to order other people around and make them conform to one own's vision takes many forms.

A portion of the multitude must ever be coerced.

I will have you removed if you don't stop. I have a little system of my own.

The most important thing about power is to make sure you don't have to use it.

Fear is the foundation of most governments.

If you were to come to Minnesota, I could have you locked up like that. That's power.

Obviously, a power player in a criminal organization doesn't have to persuade anyone. He can just do what he wants.

Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the force of him who commands prevails over that of those who obey.

Our sense of power is more vivid when we break a man's spirit than when we win his heart.

I was the law and order.

Sometimes fear is used as a way to control.

Power over others is weakness disguised as strength.

The state is force incarnate, its essence is command and compulsion.

The less people know about what is going on, the easier it is to wield power and authority.

The people may be made to follow a path of action, but they may not be made to understand it.

Watch out for the man who talks of putting things in order. Putting things in order always means getting other people under your control.

Boys, I've just reminded Hubert that I've got his balls in my pocket.

Force is never more operative than when it is known to exist but is not brandished.

It is one thing to persuade, another to command …