“We become strong, I feel, when we have no friends upon whom to lean, or to look to for moral guidance.”
- July 29, 1883 – April 28, 1945
- Italian
- Politician, Journalist, Dictator, Prime Minister of Italy, Founder of Fascism
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Quote
“We become strong, I feel, when we have no friends upon whom to lean, or to look to for moral guidance.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mussolini promotes the fascist ideal of self-reliance and isolation, suggesting that true strength emerges when individuals or nations are cut off from support and moral influence. The statement implies that dependency weakens resolve, and that independence—both emotional and ethical—is the foundation of power. Mussolini positions strength not in cooperation or community, but in solitude, defiance, and internal will, reflecting his broader rejection of liberalism, diplomacy, and collective morality.
The historical context ties closely to fascism’s emphasis on national autonomy, authoritarian leadership, and the rejection of international norms. Mussolini’s Italy often sought to assert its independence from the League of Nations, from traditional allies, and even from internal democratic institutions. This quote also resonates with his Nietzschean influence, particularly the idea of the “will to power” and the elevation of individuals who create their own values, unconstrained by conventional ethics or friendships.
In modern terms, the quote serves as a warning about the dangers of political and moral isolationism. While self-reliance can be virtuous, the dismissal of cooperation, moral discourse, and trust often leads to authoritarianism and ethical decay. Leaders or ideologies that reject external guidance or friendship in favor of unchecked autonomy may become detached from accountability, empathy, and shared human values, creating systems that prioritize dominance over justice.
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