Proverbs 28.12
“When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.”
Wise leadership in government is a priority in Proverbs, which is made clear by the repeated concerns and warnings that are given throughout the book:
- “By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly.” (Proverbs 8.15-16)
- “When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.” (Proverbs 11.10-11)
- “Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.” (Proverbs 25.4-5)
- “A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.” (Proverbs 28.16)
- “When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.” (Proverbs 28.28)
- “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” (Proverbs 29.2)
- “If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.” (Proverbs 29.12)
The message in today’s proverb is that when wise, godly people are in positions of leadership, a nation and its people will be blessed. But disaster follows when the wicked rise to power, and people hide themselves (if possible) from the threat presented by corrupt leaders.
History provides many examples of despots who came to power and made the populace fear for their lives. But it isn’t always a single, despotic dictator that brings disaster. Sometimes it is the soft despotism of an out-of-control government that brings calamity to a nation.
“Soft despotism” is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville in his 1835 book “Democracy in America.” Tocqueville wrote that soft despotism occurs when a country is dominated and degraded by “a network of small complicated rules” that are imposed by a growing federal government. Tocqueville said that soft despotism differs from hard despotism in that it is not obvious to the people. It is precisely the “softness” of the tyranny that makes it so dangerous.
Soft despotism gives people the illusion that they are in control, when in fact they have increasingly little influence over their government and the regulations and policies that the government imposes.
Tocqueville observed that soft despotism was avoided in19th century America only by the “habits of the heart” of the people. By habits of the heart, Tocqueville was referring to the character and virtue of the American people. The character and virtue that was present in the American culture in the 19th century is demonstrably absent in today’s society.
The United States is currently experiencing the soft despotism of an ever-expanding federal government controlled by a political class motivated by self-interest and power. We are experiencing the inexorable advance of the administrative state, which is precisely what Tocqueville warned against.
One of the primary purposes of the Constitution is to limit the authority of government and protect the rights of the individual. Nevertheless, and in direct opposition to the Constitution and the intent of the founders, the federal government now wields unprecedented power over the citizens of the United States through a morass of taxation, regulations, agencies, and policies. In other words, soft despotism.
As I have said many times, America is still a constitutional republic, and we have the power to elect our representatives in government. However, we must begin immediately to elect people of greater integrity. We must elect representatives who will radically reduce the size and power of government, and who will support the timeless principles of liberty and personal responsibility.
One more time from God’s word: “When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.” (Proverbs 28.12)
It’s time for Americans to vote with greater wisdom. If that doesn’t happen, soon it will be time to hide.
