A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves.

The aphorism warns that a passive, compliant populace (“sheep”) creates the conditions for predatory rulers (“wolves”). It implies that political power is not only imposed from above but also enabled from below: when citizens surrender vigilance, civic courage, and the habits of self-government, they invite domination by those willing to exploit that vacuum. The line also suggests a cyclical dynamic—over time, habitual deference selects for more aggressive elites and institutions, normalizing coercion. In a broader liberal-conservative vein often associated with Jouvenel’s thought, it cautions that the growth of state power can be facilitated by social timidity and the desire for security, which can trade liberty for protection.