Civilized Quote by Anonymous
“Government is actually the worst failure of civilized man. There has never been a really good one, and even those that are most tolerable are arbitrary, cruel, grasping and unintelligent.”
About This Quote
The quote argues that governments are fundamentally flawed, often unjust, and driven by self‑interest rather than the public good.
In simple terms: Governments are seen as inherently corrupt and oppressive.
Key Takeaway
Question skepticism toward authority.
Themes
politics
government
corruption
Mood
cynical
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting
- activism
- policy critique
- community organization
Key Concepts
power
legitimacy
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives to government could address these failures?
- How can citizens improve existing institutions?
A Different Perspective
Even the best governments can be imperfect and may serve essential functions.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
