Skip to main content

Who will watch the watchmen? 

"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?
"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?"

The Watchmaker (from the legend of 11:11) 

The watchmaker was a man who treated his creations like children. When he was too old to work, he told his “children” and they gave him immortality. Now he magically mends clocks and is like the “mailman” for good wishes. When a person makes good wishes on 11:11 a.m. or p.m., he delivers the “good news” if the wish is granted.
The Watchmaker (from the legend of 11:11) is from the book, "The Wishing Year, a legend for most ages" by Crystal

pagesbycrystal.weebly.com

The Watchmen 

1. Erroneous title for the seminal 1985 comic series and currently unreleased movie Watchmen.It is common for the press, non fans or new fans to misname the title. Making the mistake triggers a massive bombardment of corrections and sometimes insults by fanatical devotees of the story.
2. Vigilantes/dictators; unregulated and unchallenged positions of authority.
1. "Fans of the the obscure comic series and co-creator Alan Moore "The Watchmen" about a superhero team claim that the comic is unfilmable"

"Comment: THERE IS NO "THE". THE WATCHMEN ARE NOT A SUPERHERO TEAM. DO SOME RESEARCH YOU FUCKING PHILISTINE!

2. "Who watches the Watchmen?" -Roman Poet Juvenal
The Watchmen by The Amazing AO February 17, 2009

Who watches the watchmen 

Something you get a group of people to chant when you feel a law enforcement officer is abusing their power.
ow why are you hurting me officer I’m innocent.

Hey guys look police brutality!
WHO WATCHES THE WATCHMEN WHO WATCHES THE WATCHMEN!!!