Every man, and every body of men on earth, possesses the…
“Every man, and every body of men on earth, possesses the right of self-government. They receive it with their being from the hand of nature. Individuals exercise it by their single will; collections of men by that of their majority; for the law of the majority is the natural law of every society of men.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Self-government is a natural right derived from nature, exercised individually by personal will and collectively by majority rule, forming society's law.
In simple terms: People have a natural right to govern themselves, individually and collectively.
Key Takeaway
Respect individual will and democratic processes.
Themes
politics
rights
government
democracy
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting
- community decisions
- personal autonomy
- civic engagement
Key Concepts
natural law
social contract
majority rule
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we protect minorities in a majority system?
- What limits should majority rule have?
A Different Perspective
Majority rule can suppress minority rights.