Knowledge has always flowed upwards to bishops and kings, not down to serfs and slaves.

Julian Assange’s quote, “Knowledge has always flowed upwards to bishops and kings, not down to serfs and slaves,” critiques the historical imbalance in the distribution of knowledge. He argues that throughout history, knowledge has often been concentrated in the hands of elites—religious and political authorities like bishops and kings—while the common people, such as serfs and slaves, were kept in ignorance. This control of knowledge allowed rulers to maintain power over the masses.

The meaning of this quote lies in its focus on the connection between knowledge and power. Assange highlights that by keeping knowledge flowing upward and restricting its access downward, ruling classes preserved their authority. Serfs and slaves, deprived of education and information, lacked the tools to challenge the hierarchy or improve their condition. In this sense, the unequal flow of knowledge was a deliberate means of control and oppression.

The origin of this perspective comes from Assange’s role as the founder of WikiLeaks, an organization dedicated to transparency and the free flow of information. His activism is rooted in the belief that restricting knowledge perpetuates inequality, while democratizing access to information empowers ordinary people. By drawing a parallel with history, Assange underscores his argument that the withholding of knowledge is not new—it has long been a method by which elites preserved dominance.

Ultimately, Assange’s words serve as both a critique of historical practices and a call for change in the modern world. By pointing out how knowledge has traditionally been hoarded by those in power, he advocates for reversing the flow—ensuring that information reaches the many rather than remaining in the hands of the few. His quote reflects his broader mission to use transparency as a tool for accountability and social justice.