Introduction
We tend to use the word ‘tyrant’ today with a mental picture of some apoplectic dictator raving and stamping. This is hardly adequate, and it allows much tyranny to pass unnoticed. Aristotle gave us a more carefully drawn word-portrait: of a man (or of men) whose goal is to keep a grip on power by systematically dividing, demeaning and disheartening the public.
Tyrants are always fond of bad men, because they love to be flattered, but no man who has the spirit of a freeman in him will demean himself by flattery; good men love others, but they do not flatter anybody. Moreover the bad are useful for bad purposes; ‘nail knocks out nail,’ as the proverb says.*
It is characteristic of a tyrant to dislike every one who has dignity or independence; he wants to be alone in his glory, but any dependent one who claims a like dignity or asserts his independence encroaches upon his prerogative, and is hated by him as an enemy to his power. Another mark of a tyrant is that he likes foreigners better than citizens, and with them and invites them to his table; for the one are enemies, but the others enter into no rivalry with him.
Such are the notes of the tyrant and the arts by which he preserves his power; there is no wickedness too great for him.
Précis
In his Politics, Aristotle explained how to spot a tyrant. He will be surrounded by flatterers, said Aristotle, and will favour bad men precisely because they are perfect for dirty jobs. Citizens of honour and independent mind will be kept out, and humiliated; indeed, he prefers foreigners at his table, because care much less about who runs the country.
(59 / 60 words)
In his Politics, Aristotle explained how to spot a tyrant. He will be surrounded by flatterers, said Aristotle, and will favour bad men precisely because they are perfect for dirty jobs. Citizens of honour and independent mind will be kept out, and humiliated; indeed, he prefers foreigners at his table, because care much less about who runs the country.
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