It is because of the evil propensities of men that the costly repressive institutions of modern governments exist.
Ignorance arms men against each other; provides gaols and penitentiaries; police and constabulary.

All the physical force of the State is provided by Ignorance; is required by Ignorance; is very often wielded by Ignorance.

We may well avow, then, that Ignorance is Power.
Ignorance is powerful, because Knowledge, as yet, has obtained access only to the minds of the few.

Let Knowledge become more generally diffused; let the multitude become educated, thoughtful, and wise; and then Knowledge may obtain the ascendancy over Ignorance.

But that time has not yet arrived.
Look into the records of crime, and you will find that, for one man possessed of wisdom or knowledge who commits a crime, there are a hundred ignorant.