Citizens Quote by Anonymous
“It is not the function of government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown political address, 20th century
Citizens must hold government accountable rather than rely on it to avoid mistakes.
In simple terms: People should check government errors.
Key Takeaway
Demand accountability.
Themes
citizenship
government
responsibility
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
political
civic
When to use this quote
- elections
- public policy debates
- community activism
- media scrutiny
Key Concepts
democratic oversight
civic duty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens effectively monitor power?
- What structures ensure mutual accountability?
A Different Perspective
Government may lack mechanisms for self‑correction.
![“When people in government [make mistakes], they don't say, those people in the government. They say, we've got a problem to solve.” quote by Dar Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/274/dar-williams-3902_failure_when-people-in-government-make-mistakes_2472092.jpg)
