Q0515
“Force is that x that turns anybody who is subjected to it…” — Simone Weil (The Iliad, or the Poem of…)
Verified English quotation. Primary source: The Iliad, or the Poem of Force. Theme: power.
English
Force is that x that turns anybody who is subjected to it into a thing.
Source and attribution
The archive attributes this English wording to The Iliad, or the Poem of Force and files it under Religious Existentialism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
About Simone Weil
Simone Weil (1909–1943) was a French philosopher, mystic, and political activist who taught, worked in factories, and engaged labor and anti-fascist causes. A brilliant Normalienne, she sought experiential solidarity with the oppressed.
How to read this passage
Philosophers analyze domination, authority, freedom, and the micro-politics of everyday life. Power can enable justice or crush it. This passage enters that discussion through power, humanity.
Concepts in this quote
- Power
- Power is the capacity to affect others and to shape what counts as possible—central to politics and ethics.
- Humanity
- Humanity names both the species and the moral quality of being humane—bridging anthropology and ethics.
How to cite this quotation
APA: Simone Weil. (n.d.). Force is that x that turns anybody who is subjected to it into a thing. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0515
MLA: Simone Weil. “Force is that x that turns anybody who….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0515.
Chicago: Simone Weil. “Force is that x that turns anybody who….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0515.
Frequently asked questions
What is the source of the quotation “Force is that x that turns anybody who…”?
The passage is attributed to Simone Weil, The Iliad, or the Poem of Force. The archive attributes this English wording to The Iliad, or the Poem of Force and files it under Religious Existentialism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
What does Simone Weil mean by power?
Philosophers analyze domination, authority, freedom, and the micro-politics of everyday life. Power can enable justice or crush it. This passage enters that discussion through power, humanity.