We picture great tyrants of history as the monsters they were.

But remember that most were loved before they were hated.

Recognize that it’s not the tyrant to fear but the system that gives the tyrant power.

Hitler was once a charismatic, baby-kissing, smooth politician who gave captivating speeches, was loved and was democratically elected to power, Lenin, Stalin, Mao – all were loved by their people before they were feared.

The next great tyrant of humanity likely won’t initially appear evil to most people but will start as a popular and loved politician.

The best way to avoid tyranny is to work for a system where tyrants have no vehicle to do such great harm.

Madmen can use many weapons to murder others but the weapon of choice for the mass murder of millions is the State.

Without powerful governments to exercise their evil will, madmen like Hitler would have faded away into history as obscure jerks or minor annoyances.

We cannot predict or prevent the existence of evil men but we can limit his ability to harm by limiting State power and increasing the power of the individual. After all, once democratically elected – who could have better stopped such evil than the individual citizens?

Trust that most people are good and the more power the individual has, the less capacity the State has to do evils small and large at the direction of madmen or incompetents.