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You are likely thinking of C. S. Lewis's famous observation regarding a "tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims". He argued that this type of oppression can be the most unyielding and dangerous form of tyranny.His reasoning for why this is worse than cruel or selfish tyranny ("robber barons") includes:Good Intentions Justify Anything: When oppressors believe they are acting "for your own good," their cruelty is backed by the approval of their own conscience. Because they think they are helping, they never feel a need to stop.No Limits: A selfish oppressor's cruelty may "sleep" or be satiated once they get what they want (like money or power). However, someone who polices and torments you to improve you will do so endlessly.The Absence of Consent: Lewis suggested that it is better to live under the thumb of those whose cruelty makes them dislike themselves (and may occasionally sleep) than under "omnipotent moral busybodies". Moral busybodies impose a standard they believe you must adopt, entirely disregarding your personal freedom or choice.Lewis originally detailed this concept in his essay "The Humanitarian Theory of Punishment" (published in God in the Dock) to critique systems that punish people to "cure" or condition them, rather than because they objectively deserve it.

You are likely thinking of C. S. Lewis's famous observation regarding a "tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims". He argued that this type of oppression can be the most unyielding and dangerous form of tyranny. [1]
His reasoning for why this is worse than cruel or selfish tyranny ("robber barons") includes: [1, 2]
  • Good Intentions Justify Anything: When oppressors believe they are acting "for your own good," their cruelty is backed by the approval of their own conscience. Because they think they are helping, they never feel a need to stop. [1, 2]
  • No Limits: A selfish oppressor's cruelty may "sleep" or be satiated once they get what they want (like money or power). However, someone who polices and torments you to improve you will do so endlessly. [1]
  • The Absence of Consent: Lewis suggested that it is better to live under the thumb of those whose cruelty makes them dislike themselves (and may occasionally sleep) than under "omnipotent moral busybodies". Moral busybodies impose a standard they believe you must adopt, entirely disregarding your personal freedom or choice. [1]

Lewis originally detailed this concept in his essay "The Humanitarian Theory of Punishment" (published in God in the Dock) to critique systems that punish people to "cure" or condition them, rather than because they objectively deserve it. [1, 2]

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