[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fBCX57w1tItvQf8xy7Rw067u4PWIK8nduvWSgo7SXTcg":3,"$fW_gV_SCe6jidgXqjhDJPY4Fv1WQFyV_c9fQJCizSz8M":16},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},3779,"Matthew Woodring Stover","M",71,null,"matthew-woodring-stover",[12],{"tag_id":13,"tag_name":14,"tag_count":15},3861,"star-wars",12,{"quotes":17,"pagination":81},[18,26,32,38,45,51,57,63,69,75],{"id":19,"quote_text":20,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":23,"source":24,"quote_tag":25,"commentary":9},3272766,"So this is how liberty dies,” she was saying to herself. “With cheering, and applause.",6,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":27,"quote_text":28,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":29,"source":30,"quote_tag":31,"commentary":9},3272765,"You are like a painter gone blind, a composer gone deaf, you can remember where the power was but the power you can touch is only a memory.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":33,"quote_text":34,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":35,"source":36,"quote_tag":37,"commentary":9},3272764,"Contemplation of death brought only one slight sting of regret, and more than a bit of puzzlement. Until this very moment, he had never realized he’d always expected, for no discernible reason – That when he died, Anakin would be with him.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":39,"quote_text":40,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":41,"source":42,"quote_tag":43,"commentary":44},3272763,"It has to do with a bizarre concept called democracy, in which ruling power is given to whoever is most skillful at directing the herd instincts of the largest masses of their most ignorant citizens –.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nMatthew Stover, a renowned science fiction author, penned this quote in his novel \"Honor at Stake\", a part of the Acts of Caine series. The novel, published in 2003, is set in a fantasy world where the protagonist, Caine, navigates the complexities of power, politics, and human nature. At the time of writing, Stover was likely drawing from his observations of the human condition, politics, and the nature of power.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nStover's quote reveals a counter-intuitive truth about democracy: it often relies on the manipulation of \"herd instincts\" to sway the largest masses of ignorant citizens. This implies that, in a democratic system, the ability to effectively manipulate public opinion can be more important than actual leadership or governance skills.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this insight, consider the importance of emotional intelligence and persuasive communication skills in your professional or creative pursuits. By understanding how to effectively tap into the emotions and values of your audience, you can create a more compelling narrative, build stronger relationships, or even influence public opinion – all essential skills in today's complex, interconnected world.",{"id":46,"quote_text":47,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":48,"source":49,"quote_tag":50,"commentary":9},3272762,"But even in the deepest night, there are some who dream of dawn.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":52,"quote_text":53,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":54,"source":55,"quote_tag":56,"commentary":9},3272761,"You’ve been off fighting the war in the Outer Rim. You don’t know what it’s been like, dealing with all the petty squabbles and special interests and greedy, grasping fools in the Senate, and Palpatine’s constant, cynical, ruthless maneuvering for power – he carves away chunks of our freedom and bandages the wounds with tiny scraps of security. And for what? Look at this planet, Obi-Wan! We have given up so much freedom – how secure do we look?",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":58,"quote_text":59,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":60,"source":61,"quote_tag":62,"commentary":9},3272760,"This is not just the end of a republic; night is falling on civilization itself.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":64,"quote_text":65,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":66,"source":67,"quote_tag":68,"commentary":9},3272759,"The king of the gods took away this man’s family, everyone that he loved – and still this particular man did not surrender.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":70,"quote_text":71,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":72,"source":73,"quote_tag":74,"commentary":9},3272757,"Life is mere chance only when one allows it to be.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":76,"quote_text":77,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":78,"source":79,"quote_tag":80,"commentary":9},3272755,"This is Obi-Wan Kenobi: A phenomenal pilot who doesn’t like to fly. A devastating warrior who’d rather not fight. A negotiator without peer who frankly prefers to sit alone in a quiet cave and meditate.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"currentPage":82,"totalPages":83,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":84},1,8,10]