"Who will watch the watchmen?" is a translation of the phrase "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" made famous by the Roman Poet Juvenal in his satires.
Contextually it referred to the notion that male guards should not guard women against sexual assault as they themselves are capable of committing such crimes, the only solution would be to have the women guarded by eunuchs.
Generally though it is considered the embodiment of the philosophical question as to where ultimate power should reside. It can be attributed as the basis, or at least the summarization, of the United States' concept of division of political power. At any given moment a watchman is watched by two watchmen thus eliminating the possibility of corruption.
The phrase is also well known as the basis for the graphic novel, and film, Watchmen.
Synonymous phrases include:
Who will guard the guards?
Who will protect the protectors?
Who will police the police?
Contextually it referred to the notion that male guards should not guard women against sexual assault as they themselves are capable of committing such crimes, the only solution would be to have the women guarded by eunuchs.
Generally though it is considered the embodiment of the philosophical question as to where ultimate power should reside. It can be attributed as the basis, or at least the summarization, of the United States' concept of division of political power. At any given moment a watchman is watched by two watchmen thus eliminating the possibility of corruption.
The phrase is also well known as the basis for the graphic novel, and film, Watchmen.
Synonymous phrases include:
Who will guard the guards?
Who will protect the protectors?
Who will police the police?
"Privacy is a farce, if you have done nothing wrong then you have nothing to hide. Surveillance is the only way to assure that no crime goes unpunished."
"But who will watch the watchmen? Themselves?"
"But who will watch the watchmen? Themselves?"
by Solypsys March 19, 2009
Get the Who will watch the watchmen? mug.A phrase coined by NFL analyst to describe the ongoing episodic soap-opera like exploits of Brett Favre during the NFL's 2008 off-season through the NFL's 2009 off-season following his first retirement from professional football on March 4th 2008.
FIRST EPISODE: On March 4th, 2008 Brett Favre retires from professional football and retires as a member of the Green Bay Packers. He stated that the reasons were because the chances of making the Super Bowl were slim. He also stated (and later contradicted) that the decision was not based on anything the Packers did or didn't do.
SECOND EPISODE: On July 2nd media rumors buzzed about a possible return to the Packers and a comeback for Favre.
THIRD EPISODE: July 11th 2008, Favre sent a letter to Packer GM Ted Thompson asking for his unconditonal release, which wasn't granted. Thompson stated Green Bay had made commitments to Aaron Rodgers that he wouldn't break. Favre's contract gave him leverage to void any trade by not reporting to the camp of said team.
FOURTH EPISODE: July 14th, Favre appears in an interview with Greta Van Susteren. He states that he never fully commited to retirement and felt guilty of retiring too soon. He also stated that he was pressured by the Packers organization to make a decision before the Draft and the start of the Free Agent signing period. Favre stated that the Packers have moved on and they should let him do the same.
FIFTH EPISODE: July 15th, in the second part of the Greta Van Susteren interview Favre expressed frustration with the Packers management and said he's fully commited to playing football.
SIXTH EPISODE: Packers file Tampering charges against the Minnesota Vikings alleging improper communications between Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell and Favre. An investigation by Roger Goodell ruled that there hadn't been any violation of Tampering rules.
SEVENTH EPISODE: Favre formally files for reinstatement in the NFL on July 29th 2008.
EIGHTH EPISODE: Commisioner Goodell approves Favres reinstatement request. Favre then attends Packers training camp. After discussion between Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson, both agree that it is best to part ways with Favre.
NINTH EPISODE: After negotiations with the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay trades Favre to the New York Jets for a conditional fourth round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
TENTH EPISODE: After an 8-3 start the New York Jets 2008 season ends in disappointment with the Jets losing four of their last five and an end of the season record of 9-7. The Jets miss the play-offs but improved dramatically on the 2007 season in which they went 4-12.
ELEVENTH EPISODE: On December 29th 2008, Favre complained of shoulder pain. An MRI revealed a torn bicep tendon in his right shoulder. Although Favre would only need arthroscopic procedure and not a major surgery.
TWELFTH EPISODE: Favre told New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum that they should look in a new direction regarding their QB situation.
THIRTEENTH EPISODE: Favre told the New York Jets that he was retiring after 18 seasons.
FOURTEENTH EPISODE: In May 2009, Favre asked for and was granted release from the Jets Reserve/Retired list, freeing him to sign with any team. Amongst speculation of another comeback, Favre admitted that he'd undergone arthroscopic surgery in his throwing arm.
FIFTEENTH EPISODE: On June 15th 2009, Favre stated that has considered playing again with the Minnesota Vikings, the team he really wanted to play for the previous year but never came to fruition.
SIXTEENTH EPISODE: On July 28th 2009, Favre told the the Vikings that he'd remain retired, stating that he couldn't go through the grind of another season. This is presumably the last episode in the Favre watch.
FIRST EPISODE: On March 4th, 2008 Brett Favre retires from professional football and retires as a member of the Green Bay Packers. He stated that the reasons were because the chances of making the Super Bowl were slim. He also stated (and later contradicted) that the decision was not based on anything the Packers did or didn't do.
SECOND EPISODE: On July 2nd media rumors buzzed about a possible return to the Packers and a comeback for Favre.
THIRD EPISODE: July 11th 2008, Favre sent a letter to Packer GM Ted Thompson asking for his unconditonal release, which wasn't granted. Thompson stated Green Bay had made commitments to Aaron Rodgers that he wouldn't break. Favre's contract gave him leverage to void any trade by not reporting to the camp of said team.
FOURTH EPISODE: July 14th, Favre appears in an interview with Greta Van Susteren. He states that he never fully commited to retirement and felt guilty of retiring too soon. He also stated that he was pressured by the Packers organization to make a decision before the Draft and the start of the Free Agent signing period. Favre stated that the Packers have moved on and they should let him do the same.
FIFTH EPISODE: July 15th, in the second part of the Greta Van Susteren interview Favre expressed frustration with the Packers management and said he's fully commited to playing football.
SIXTH EPISODE: Packers file Tampering charges against the Minnesota Vikings alleging improper communications between Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell and Favre. An investigation by Roger Goodell ruled that there hadn't been any violation of Tampering rules.
SEVENTH EPISODE: Favre formally files for reinstatement in the NFL on July 29th 2008.
EIGHTH EPISODE: Commisioner Goodell approves Favres reinstatement request. Favre then attends Packers training camp. After discussion between Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson, both agree that it is best to part ways with Favre.
NINTH EPISODE: After negotiations with the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay trades Favre to the New York Jets for a conditional fourth round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
TENTH EPISODE: After an 8-3 start the New York Jets 2008 season ends in disappointment with the Jets losing four of their last five and an end of the season record of 9-7. The Jets miss the play-offs but improved dramatically on the 2007 season in which they went 4-12.
ELEVENTH EPISODE: On December 29th 2008, Favre complained of shoulder pain. An MRI revealed a torn bicep tendon in his right shoulder. Although Favre would only need arthroscopic procedure and not a major surgery.
TWELFTH EPISODE: Favre told New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum that they should look in a new direction regarding their QB situation.
THIRTEENTH EPISODE: Favre told the New York Jets that he was retiring after 18 seasons.
FOURTEENTH EPISODE: In May 2009, Favre asked for and was granted release from the Jets Reserve/Retired list, freeing him to sign with any team. Amongst speculation of another comeback, Favre admitted that he'd undergone arthroscopic surgery in his throwing arm.
FIFTEENTH EPISODE: On June 15th 2009, Favre stated that has considered playing again with the Minnesota Vikings, the team he really wanted to play for the previous year but never came to fruition.
SIXTEENTH EPISODE: On July 28th 2009, Favre told the the Vikings that he'd remain retired, stating that he couldn't go through the grind of another season. This is presumably the last episode in the Favre watch.
Guy 1: I heard Brett Favre is considering playing for the Vikings.
Guy 2: No he said he'd hang up the cleats for good.
Guy 1: So this is the last we'll hear from Brett Favre.
Guy 2: Probably not. In a couple months he'll probably add a new chapter to the Favre Watch.
Guy 2: No he said he'd hang up the cleats for good.
Guy 1: So this is the last we'll hear from Brett Favre.
Guy 2: Probably not. In a couple months he'll probably add a new chapter to the Favre Watch.
by Baron6489 August 5, 2009
Get the Favre Watch mug.Related Words
Bob: Excuse me ma'am, what is the time?
Louise: TIME TO GET A WATCH! LOL
Bob: Hahaha. But seriously, what's the time?
Louise: TIME TO GET A WATCH! LOL
Bob: Would it really hurt if you bothered to tell me?
Louise: Would it really hurt if you bothered to get a watch?
Bob: YOU WANKER
Louise: TIME TO GET A WATCH! LOL
Bob: Hahaha. But seriously, what's the time?
Louise: TIME TO GET A WATCH! LOL
Bob: Would it really hurt if you bothered to tell me?
Louise: Would it really hurt if you bothered to get a watch?
Bob: YOU WANKER
by gravedog February 2, 2010
Get the Time to get a watch mug.My neck, my wrist, my teeth on hockey
You be pocket watching but it's nothin' in your pockets -Hockey by Rico Nasty
You be pocket watching but it's nothin' in your pockets -Hockey by Rico Nasty
by kellyee August 24, 2020
Get the Pocket Watching mug.An upcoming game on the PS4,Xbox one, and PC. It's a sequel to Watch dogs and takes plac in SAN Francisco.
by SUMFURRYTHING September 23, 2016
Get the Watch dogs 2 mug.by Dave Evans July 20, 2003
Get the watchmen mug.a dead end road in the scp were crackfiends roam around like zombies n shootouts happen in broad daylight
#nj #scp #northward #newark
#nj #scp #northward #newark
by D Moneyyyy September 24, 2018
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