--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It would be folly to argue that the…" description: "\"It would be folly to argue that the people cannot make political mistakes. They can and do make grave mistakes. They know it, they pay the penalty, but..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c8/calvin-coolidge-764_arguing_it-would-be-folly-to-argue-that-the-peop_3060309.jpg" --- # It would be folly to argue that the people cannot make… ![“It would be folly to argue that the people cannot make political mistakes. They can and do make grave mistakes. They know it, they pay the penalty, but compared with the mistakes which have been made by every kind of autocracy they are unimportant.” quote by Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c8/calvin-coolidge-764_arguing_it-would-be-folly-to-argue-that-the-peop_3060309.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c8/calvin-coolidge-764_arguing_it-would-be-folly-to-argue-that-the-peop_3060309.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c8/calvin-coolidge-764_arguing_it-would-be-folly-to-argue-that-the-peop_3060309.jpg) > “It would be folly to argue that the people cannot make political mistakes. They can and do make grave mistakes. They know it, they pay the penalty, but compared with the mistakes which have been made by every kind of autocracy they are unimportant.” [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People make political mistakes, but they are minor compared to autocratic errors. **In simple terms:** Political errors are minor versus autocratic ones. Key Takeaway Recognize the relative scale of mistakes. Themes politics error autocracy Mood reflective cautious Type historical advice When to use this quote - election campaigns - policy debates - legislative reviews Key Concepts history governance Questions to Reflect On - How do we learn from small errors? - What safeguards prevent larger mistakes? A Different Perspective Minor mistakes can still have big impacts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Autocracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/autocracy/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Folly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/folly/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Mistakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistakes/) [Penalties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/penalties/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) ## Related quotes > [Political necessities sometime turn out to be political mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/political-necessities-sometime-turn-out-to-be-political-mistakes/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [The interest of the people lies in being able to join organizations, advocate causes, and make political "mistakes" without being subjected to governmental penalties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugo-black/the-interest-of-the-people-lies-in-being-able-to-join-organizations/) [Hugo Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugo-black/) > [A state rep in Oklahoma gave a horrific speech where she felt the homosexual agenda was a greater threat to America than terrorism. People…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-jordan/a-state-rep-in-oklahoma-gave-a-horrific-speech-where-she-felt-the/) [Leslie Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-jordan/) > [Don't argue for other people's weaknesses. Don't argue for your own. When you make a mistake, admit it, correct it, and learn from it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-argue-for-other-people-s-weaknesses-don-t-argue-for-your-own/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I make it a point never to argue with people for whose opinion I have no respect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/i-make-it-a-point-never-to-argue-with-people-for-whose-opinion-i-have/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Smaller movies are great because you don't have to argue with so many people all the time. But really I like arguing so there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-pattinson/smaller-movies-are-great-because-you-don-t-have-to-argue-with-so-many/) [Robert Pattinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-pattinson/) > [As a veteran of the diet wars, I think it's time to call a truce. Rather than hear experts argue, most people want practical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-ornish/as-a-veteran-of-the-diet-wars-i-think-it-s-time-to-call-a-truce/) [Dean Ornish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-ornish/) > [No one could ever argue with me about people in show business being kind of nice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desi-arnaz/no-one-could-ever-argue-with-me-about-people-in-show-business-being/) [Desi Arnaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desi-arnaz/) > [I never argue with people about movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sarris/i-never-argue-with-people-about-movies/) [Andrew Sarris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sarris/) > [I don't argue with people that dislike me because they will never agree with me on anything or admit that they're wrong. Its a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/i-don-t-argue-with-people-that-dislike-me-because-they-will-never/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I don't shout people down. I argue people down, perhaps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/i-don-t-shout-people-down-i-argue-people-down-perhaps/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [My silence doesn't mean I quit, it means I don't wanna argue with people who just don't understand..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-silence-doesn-t-mean-i-quit-it-means-i-don-t-wanna-argue-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“This is why I don't like to argue with people. You say things you don't mean. Or, you kind of mean them, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-wittlinger/this-is-why-i-don-t-like-to-argue-with-people-you-say-things-you-don/) [Ellen Wittlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-wittlinger/) > [I don't argue with people that dislike me because they will never agree with me on anything or admit that they're wrong. It's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/i-don-t-argue-with-people-that-dislike-me-because-they-will-never-2/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Never argue with people who buy ink by the gallon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-argue-with-people-who-buy-ink-by-the-gallon/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Calvin Coolidge > [Not all those who are attempting to conduct successful businesses are profiteers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/not-all-those-who-are-attempting-to-conduct-successful-businesses-are/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [A wholesome regard for the memory of the great men of long ago is the best assurance to a people of a continuation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/a-wholesome-regard-for-the-memory-of-the-great-men-of-long-ago-is-the/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“I have noticed that nothing I have never said ever did me any harm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/i-have-noticed-that-nothing-i-have-never-said-ever-did-me-any-harm/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“It has been my observation in life that, if one will only exercise the patience to wait, his wants are likely to be filled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/it-has-been-my-observation-in-life-that-if-one-will-only-exercise-the/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [The man who builds a factory builds a temple, that the man who works there worships there, and to each is due, not scorn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-man-who-builds-a-factory-builds-a-temple-that-the-man-who-works/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [The property of the people belongs to the people. 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Honor has been the reward for what he gave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/no-person-was-ever-honored-for-what-he-received-honor-has-been-the/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [Nations are beginning to look to some vague organization, some nebulous course of humanity, to pay their bills and tell them what to do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/nations-are-beginning-to-look-to-some-vague-organization-some/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [The government can supply no substitute for enterprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-government-can-supply-no-substitute-for-enterprise/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“While we should not refuse to spend and be spent in the service of our country, it is hazardous to attempt what we feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/while-we-should-not-refuse-to-spend-and-be-spent-in-the-service-of/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [One of the greatest dangers to peace lies in the economic pressure to which people find themselves subjected. One of the most practical things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/one-of-the-greatest-dangers-to-peace-lies-in-the-economic-pressure-to/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [War is the rule of force, and peace is the reign of law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/war-is-the-rule-of-force-and-peace-is-the-reign-of-law/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [Advertising ministers to the spiritual side of trade. It is great power that has been entrusted to your keeping which charges you with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/advertising-ministers-to-the-spiritual-side-of-trade-it-is-great/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [We cannot permit any inquisition either within or without the law or apply any religious test to the holding of office. The mind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/we-cannot-permit-any-inquisition-either-within-or-without-the-law-or/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) [Explore all 376 Calvin Coolidge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) ## More Arguing quotes > [I do wish you wouldn't argue with me when I'm knitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/i-do-wish-you-wouldn-t-argue-with-me-when-i-m-knitting/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [Men are fair, and they have learned not to personalize anger - they can disagree with you and argue to the bone, but afterward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/men-are-fair-and-they-have-learned-not-to-personalize-anger-they-can/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Fasting is required, staying away from fighting and arguing and bombing of masjids is still going on. Hatred is still manifested between Sunni and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/fasting-is-required-staying-away-from-fighting-and-arguing-and/) [Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/) > [The problem for the Left, however, is that the moment it stops painting the Right as vile, it has to argue the issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-problem-for-the-left-however-is-that-the-moment-it-stops-painting/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-argue-with-a-person-who-has-renounced-the-use-of-reason-is-like/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [You can argue that the Terminator movies reboot their world each time they go back in time, but that doesn't negate the value of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hayter/you-can-argue-that-the-terminator-movies-reboot-their-world-each-time/) [David Hayter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hayter/) > [We may argue eloquently that 'Honesty is the best Policy' - unfortunately, the moment honesty is adopted for the sake of policy it mysteriously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/we-may-argue-eloquently-that-honesty-is-the-best-policy-unfortunately/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [I'm a very serious person, but I don't take myself very seriously and I would rather laugh all day than argue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stone-cold-steve-austin/i-m-a-very-serious-person-but-i-don-t-take-myself-very-seriously-and/) [Stone Cold Steve Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stone-cold-steve-austin/) > [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [There's crucial distinction that has to be drawn between the Shari'a, which is this hugely expansive vision of cosmic order that I've been describing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadakat-kadri/there-s-crucial-distinction-that-has-to-be-drawn-between-the-shari-a/) [Sadakat Kadri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadakat-kadri/) > [Only fools argue whether to eat meat or not. They don't understand truth nor do they meditate on it. Who can define what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guru-nanak/only-fools-argue-whether-to-eat-meat-or-not-they-don-t-understand/) [Guru Nanak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guru-nanak/) > [The surest sign that you haven't any sense is to argue with one who hasn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/the-surest-sign-that-you-haven-t-any-sense-is-to-argue-with-one-who/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) Browse all 1,908 Arguing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It would be folly to argue that the people cannot make political mistakes. They can and do make grave mistakes. 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