John Tyler became president because he was the vice-president when the President died. The legal basis for his becoming president was the Us Constitution.
(The only question was whether he would actually become president or merely act as president amd carry out the necessary duties without actually being a real president. There was objection to his moving into the White House and at first no money was allocated for him to give state dinners or provide other necessary state functions. )
The answer is paterfamilias
History repeats itself but in subtle ways. Look at the crusades, England fought a religious war against the Islamic people because they believed that Christianity was 'the right religion/proper one' and that they should regain control of that area because the Muslims were tainting it, there are a slew of reasons for them but (in my opinion) that was the predominant reason. Lets hop back towards present day. Currently we are in a pseudo war with ISIS, a 'muslim' (there really not even muslim but for the sake of the example lets say they are pseudo muslim) terrorist group. We're fighting for a different reason but whats the one common factor. The war is fueled by religion, and it is Christians Vs. Pseudo Muslim Terrorist group. See the relation.
As for the quote, a lack of knowledge can create a simplistic basic mindset, much like the one of a child. When you lack understanding, you lack empathy and many other emotions, much like a child. It depends on Cicero's definition of a child but in essence it is correct. <span />
