1001Philosophers

Polus Quotes on Politics

Polus of Acragas was a Greek sophist and rhetorician of the late fifth century BC, a pupil of the great rhetorician Gorgias and the author of a now-lost handbook of rhetoric. This page collects quotes attributed to Polus on the topic of politics, drawn from across the philosopher's works.

Quotes

  • Attributed to Polus:

    “The orator can do as he pleases in his city; that is the meaning of his art.”

  • Attributed to Polus:

    “Rhetoric is the science of persuasion, and persuasion is the secret of every regime.”

  • Attributed to Polus:

    “He who can master the assembly has mastered the city.”

  • Attributed to Polus:

    “Power is a gift the gods grant only to those who know how to speak.”