Quotes / Evil Power Vacuum

"We have slain a large dragon, but we now live in a jungle filled with a bewildering variety of poisonous snakes. And in many ways the dragon was easier to keep track of."

— James Woolsey

"The spread of evil is the symptom of a vacuum. Whenever evil wins, it is only by default: by the moral failure of those who evade the fact that there can be no compromise on basic principles."

— Ayn Rand

"Here's the real problem: you've created a power vacuum in the criminal universe. And nature abhors a vacuum."

— George Stacey, The Spectacular Spider-Man

"Okay, so dig this: you'd think with the bad guys gone everything would be storybook, everyone sharing in peace and harmony. But no, by destroying the bullies and breaking their grip of oppression on the helpless students of the school all David managed to do was create a power vacuum that every other group of dorks in the school is scrambling to fill. And on top of that they're trying to recruit David to be their hitman."

— The Spoony One on Massacre at Central High

"Listen. There's a school of thought that says: even if the feds could take down the Kingpin, someone else would take his place. You understand? Just the way it is."

— Joe Robertson, Ultimate Spider-Man

"Idiot! I'm the one who kept order in this city! ...ONE MONTH! In one month, you'll wish you had me back!"

— Wilson Fisk, Spider-Man (PS4)

Claudius: What is the matter with you, Herod? Do you intend to go along with this farce?
Herod: Listen, old friend, and be thankful I arrived in Rome. I know your views, so I know exactly what you're thinking. You think of yielding up your power to the Senate at the earliest moment.
Claudius: Of course.
Herod: You mustn't! First, it would be signal for civil war. The Senate are a flock of sheep, but there are wolves among them, all convinced they should be Emperor.

— I, Claudius

"There was still crime in Chicago after they got rid of Al Capone."

— Captain Barker, The Phil Silvers Show

"If you take me, you will leave Noxus with something far worse."

— Swain's taunt against Kindred, League of Legends

After the battle, masterless cattle
Overlords hanging by a thread
With a bit of bravado, maybe tomorrow
We'll be atop the heap
While the rest of Hell's pissing, Alastor's missing
Fled with his tail between his legs
Nature abhors a power vacuum
It leaves room for you and me
The future of Hell belongs to the Vees.

— Vox and Valentino's section of "Finale", Hazbin Hotel, "The Show Must Go On"

---