The degree of resistance that must be continually overcome in order to remain on top is the measure of freedom, whether for individuals or for societies - freedom understood, that is, as positive power, as will to power. According to this concept, the highest form of individual freedom, of sovereignty, would in all probability emerge not five steps from its opposite, where the danger of slavery hangs over existence like a hundred swords of Damocles. Look at history from this viewpoint: the ages in which the "individual" achieves such ripe perfection, i.e., freedom, and the classic type of the sovereign man is attained - oh no! they have never been humane ages!
One must have no choice: either on top - or underneath, like a worm, mocked, annihilated, trodden upon. One must oppose tyrants to become a tyrant, i.e., free. It is no small advantage to live under a hundred swords of Damocles: that way one learns to dance, one attains "freedom of movement."
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Copied from Walter Kaufmann's and R.J. Holligndale's 1967 translation.
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Damocles is in a Greek legend as a member of the court of Dionysus II of Syracuse. He traded places with Dionysus for a day to experience his great power, but ran away when he realized with great power came constant fear (as there was a sharp sword hanging from a horse-hair directly above him).
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Richardson primarily uses this reference to set up his link of power and freedom. He sees the two as similarly linked in GM II 2 and GS 347.
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