For example, take the Latin phrase “pro bono publico.” In English, “for the public good.” Now just who is “the public”? All the people in the world? All the people living in a specific country? state? province? city? what? Those who frequently use the phrase never specify. 

And that's the beauty of it. Because its compass is so vague, villains and tyrants have used it all through history to murder, enslave, and suppress. Can you imagine Adolph Hitler telling his people that he was leading them into war for his good? No, it was for the public good. And that he was killing people by the millions for his good? No, it was pro bono publico. 

Well, you might say, that was a long time ago. You can't do that anymore. 

Can't you? 

What about so-called “ethnic cleansing” in Bosnia? Do you think the monster who came up with that idea told his followers that they should do it for his good? No, it was for their good. 

And what about the folks in this country who want laws that would ban hand guns? smoking? perfume? fur coats? language they don't approve of? pinups? beer? wine? liquor? a host of things? Do they say that they want those laws passed for their good? Not a chance. They always say they want them passed for the good of everyone. 

Yeah. Right. Whether everyone wants those laws or not. 

You know, H.L. Mencken said it much better than I ever could: The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule. 

Think about it.