--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are too solicitous for government…" description: "\"We are too solicitous for government intervention, on the theory, first, that the people themselves are helpless, and second, that the Government has s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab7/calvin-coolidge-764_action_we-are-too-solicitous-for-government-int_2573431.jpg" --- # We are too solicitous for government intervention, on the… ![“We are too solicitous for government intervention, on the theory, first, that the people themselves are helpless, and second, that the Government has superior capacity for action. Often times both of these conclusions are wrong.” quote by Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab7/calvin-coolidge-764_action_we-are-too-solicitous-for-government-int_2573431.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab7/calvin-coolidge-764_action_we-are-too-solicitous-for-government-int_2573431.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab7/calvin-coolidge-764_action_we-are-too-solicitous-for-government-int_2573431.jpg) > “We are too solicitous for government intervention, on the theory, first, that the people themselves are helpless, and second, that the Government has superior capacity for action. Often times both of these conclusions are wrong.” [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 often assume governments are more capable than citizens, but both beliefs can be mistaken. **In simple terms:** People think government is better, but that's not always true. Key Takeaway Question assumptions about government ability. Themes government citizen empowerment policy skepticism Mood critical reflective Type analytical political When to use this quote - budget planning - public policy debates - community initiatives - civic education Key Concepts libertarianism public choice theory political philosophy Questions to Reflect On - When have you seen government succeed where citizens failed? - How can communities improve self-reliance? A Different Perspective Assumes a one-size-fits-all view of government competence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Capacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity/) [Conclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusion/) [Conclusions Wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusions-wrong-1714043/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government intervention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-intervention/) [Helpless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helpless/) [Intervention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intervention/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Helpless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-helpless-932379/) [Solicitous Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solicitous-government-1714042/) [Superiors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superiors/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) ## Related quotes > [We pay too little attention to the reserve power of the people to take care of themselves. 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