It is above all in the present democratic age that the…
“It is above all in the present democratic age that the true friends of liberty and human grandeur must remain constantly vigilant and ready to prevent the social power from lightly sacrificing the particular rights of a few individuals to the general execution of its designs. In such times there is no citizen so obscure that it is not very dangerous to allow him to be oppressed, and there are no individual rights so unimportant that they can be sacrificed to arbitrariness with impunity.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Vigilance is needed to protect individual rights from majority tyranny in a democratic society.
In simple terms: Guard freedoms by staying alert.
Key Takeaway
Never assume safety for the overlooked.
Themes
freedom
democracy
rights
vigilance
Mood
concerned
determined
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political activism
- legal advocacy
- community organizing
- public policy debates
Key Concepts
social contract
majority rule
individual liberty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we empower marginalized voices?
- What safeguards prevent majority overreach?
A Different Perspective
Even vigilant societies can still overlook subtle abuses.