Argument Quote by Andrew Jackson
“Never for a moment believe that the great body of the citizens of any State or States can deliberately intend to do wrong. They may, under the influence of temporary excitement or misguided opinions, commit mistakes; they may be misled for a time by the suggestions of self-interest; but in a community so enlightened and patriotic as the people of the United States argument will soon make them sensible of their errors, and when convinced they will be ready to repair them.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Inaugural Address, United States, 1829
People generally act with good intentions; errors arise from excitement or self‑interest, but reason and patriotism correct them.
In simple terms: People usually mean well; mistakes happen but are fixed by reason.
Key Takeaway
Trust in reason and civic virtue.
Themes
civic virtue
reason
error correction
Mood
optimistic
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public policy debates
- community decision making
- conflict resolution
- leadership training
Key Concepts
political philosophy
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies foster reasoned correction?
- What role does education play in preventing errors?
A Different Perspective
Assumes a uniformly enlightened populace, which may not hold true.
![“[Persons] who are recognized as citizens in any one state of the Union [have] the right to enter every other state, whenever they pleased... full liberty of speech in public and in private upon all subjects upon which its own citizens might meet; to hold public meetings upon political affairs, and…” quote by Jack Kevorkian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/103/jack-kevorkian-7173_affair_persons-who-are-recognized-as-citizens-i_1716413.jpg)
