Logic

The demagogue’s secret is to become

(if he is not already so)

as stupid as his audience is

so they feel as smart as he.

•

Rejoicing in mutual, ignorant spite,

they spew out infinite arguments

that convince only other minds

already exalting in hateful illogic.

•

For logic is not debased only

by faulty, mistaken deduction and inference

but also by lies and shifting veils

that conceal vicious intent.

•

When such arguments gain them power,

the demagogue's fools believe his speech.

But no logic can ever be good

unless it lack spite and bile.