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From: Denc 🗡
Napoleon was being ironic. After Voltaire… Pour encourager les autres" is a French phrase meaning "to encourage the others" or more idiomatically in English, "as an example to others" — usually with an ironical or negative sense: a harsh punishment inflicted publicly to deter future misconduct. Origin and literary source The phrase originates in Voltaire’s 1759 satirical epic poem Candide. In Chapter 6 of Candide, Voltaire recounts a mock trial and execution on the galleys: a sailor (or sometimes a deserter) is flogged and keel-hauled the commander explains the severity as done "pour encourager les autres." Voltaire uses the line to lampoon the cruelty and hypocrisy of military and judicial authorities who justify brutal punishments as necessary deterrents. Meaning and usage Literal: "to encourage the others." Idiomatic: used ironically to describe punitive actions presented as deterrence — especially when the punishment is disproportionate, performative, or designed to intimidate. English equivalent senses: "as an example to others," "to set an example," or more caustically, "to discourage by example." Tone: critical or sardonic implies moral condemnation of the rationale behind the punishment. Cultural impact The phrase entered English and other languages as a quoted phrase to criticize institutional cruelty or punitive displays. Frequently cited in political commentary, literary criticism, and discussions of justice to call out "deterrence" rationales that mask cruelty or injustice. Example of contemporary use "The governor executed the prisoner ‘pour encourager les autres’" — meaning the execution was framed as deterrence, and the speaker implies censure of that justification. Edited on 09/10/2026 at 14:51:02.

Current Thread	Author	Time
Yankers gonna broadcast the firing squad execution of a muzzer terrorist...[more]	Occhio Pazzo 🇬🇧	14:41:59
>> Really not clever, there will be retribution of Yanks chopped live by Muzzas.	Hamsterwheel	15:57:28
>> It's not as if they don't do that anyway is it? Or try to at least	Occhio Pazzo 🇬🇧	17:29:49
>> We are supposed to be more civilised ….	Hamsterwheel	20:01:01
>> He’s a paraplegic, the US are going to shoot someone in a wheelchair live on ... [more]	Hamsterwheel	20:41:33
>> He shot 13 unarmed soldiers. Fcuk him.	Denc 🗡	22:31:49
>> A dream of many I imagine 😅	JonH🍕	15:36:15
>> Pour encourager les autres nm...[more]	Denc 🗡	14:46:21
>> "discourager" surely?...[more]	Occhio Pazzo 🇬🇧	14:47:43
>> Napoleon was being ironic. After Voltaire…...[more]	Denc 🗡	14:48:49
>> After the Enlightenment came Romanticism. ...[more]	JonH🍕	16:16:42
>> Yankers don't do irony though do they	Occhio Pazzo 🇬🇧	14:49:52
>> Not much	Denc 🗡	14:51:49
>> But I do.	Denc 🗡	15:27:02
>> Let us know when you start	Hamsterwheel	15:28:50
>> Ok Slim	Denc 🗡	15:30:46

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