The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don’t have to waste your time voting.
Meaning of the quote
In a democracy, people get to vote for their leaders. Even if you don't agree with everything the leaders do, you still have to follow their rules. But in a dictatorship, the leaders make all the decisions, and the people have no say in who's in charge. So in a dictatorship, you don't have to bother voting at all.
About Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski was a German-American poet, novelist, and short story writer who gained fame for his gritty depictions of the ordinary lives of poor Americans. His work often explored themes of writing, alcohol, relationships, and the drudgery of work. Despite being overlooked by academic critics in the US during his lifetime, Bukowski’s unique voice and style have since earned him a devoted following, particularly in Europe.
More quotes from Charles Bukowski
If you want to know who your friends are, get yourself a jail sentence.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
If you’re losing your soul and you know it, then you’ve still got a soul left to lose.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
Bad taste creates many more millionaires than good taste.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
Joan of Arc had style. Jesus had style.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
Never get out of bed before noon.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don’t have to waste your time voting.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
I would be married, but I’d have no wife, I would be married to a single life.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
Some people never go crazy, What truly horrible lives they must live.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
There will always be something to ruin our lives, it all depends on what or which finds us first. We are always ripe and ready to be taken.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
We have wasted History like a bunch of drunks shooting dice back in the men’s crapper of the local bar.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
To do a dull thing with style-now that’s what I call art.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
Humanity, you never had it to begin with.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
Show me a man who lives alone and has a perpetually clean kitchen, and 8 times out of 9 I’ll show you a man with detestable spiritual qualities.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
Genius might be the ability to say a profound thing in a simple way.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
You begin saving the world by saving one man at a time; all else is grandiose romanticism or politics.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
It’s possible to love a human being if you don’t know them too well.
German-American writer (1920-1994)
I don’t like jail, they got the wrong kind of bars in there.
German-American writer (1920-1994)