Conspiring Quote by Algernon Sidney
![“[A]ll popular and well-mixed governments [republics] . . . are ever established by wise and good men, and can never be upheld otherwise than by virtue: The worst men always conspiring against them, they must fall, if the best have not power to preserve them. . . . [and] unless they be preserved in…” quote by Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1c1/algernon-sidney-20606_conspiring_a-ll-popular-and-well-mixed-governments_696129.jpg)
“[A]ll popular and well-mixed governments [republics] . . . are ever established by wise and good men, and can never be upheld otherwise than by virtue: The worst men always conspiring against them, they must fall, if the best have not power to preserve them. . . . [and] unless they be preserved in a great measure free from vices . . . .”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Discourses Concerning Government, 1698
Governments succeed only when led by virtuous leaders; without virtue, they are vulnerable to conspiracies and decay.
In simple terms: Good leaders are essential for stable governments.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate virtue in leadership roles.
Themes
politics
virtue
leadership
corruption
stability
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- elections
- policy making
- public office
- community organizing
- legislative bodies
Key Concepts
ethical governance
power dynamics
civic responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards protect virtuous governance?
- How can citizens promote virtue in politics?
A Different Perspective
Even virtuous leaders can be undermined by systemic flaws.
![“[There can be no] rational administration of government when good men are held in the same esteem as bad ones.” quote by Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e51/polybius-21895_administration_there-can-be-no-rational-administration_1598886.jpg)
![“[L]iberty cannot be preserved, if the manners of the people are corrupted . . .” quote by Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/65d/algernon-sidney-20606_freedom_l-iberty-cannot-be-preserved-if-the-mann_1577380.jpg)
![“The Nick Boles text is kiboshed [Mike] Gove's chances. It undermined people's confidence in him. It made it look as if he's been conspiring all along. It did more damage to his reputation than anything else.” quote by Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5be/andrea-leadsom-3580_chance_the-nick-boles-text-is-kiboshed-mike-gov_267378.jpg)
