Citizenship Quote by Carl Sagan
“Nevertheless, (Jefferson) believed that the habit of skepticism is an essential prerequisite for responsible citizenship. He argued that the cost of education is trivial compared to the cost of ignorance, of leaving government to the wolves. He taught that the country is safe only when the people rule.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to John Adams, 1785
Skepticism is vital for informed citizens; ignorance costs more than education.
In simple terms: Questioning protects democracy.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate critical thinking.
Themes
citizenship
education
skepticism
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
political
educational
When to use this quote
- voting
- public debate
- media consumption
- community meetings
Key Concepts
democratic responsibility
public discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance healthy doubt with decisive civic engagement?
- What education methods best foster critical inquiry?
A Different Perspective
Skepticism alone may paralyze action without constructive solutions.
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![“[ When a religious couple wrote to Sagan about fulfilled prophecies, he wrote back in May 1996 :] If ‘fulfilled prophecy’ is your criterion, why do you not believe in materialistic science, which has an unparalleled record of fulfilled prophecy? Consider, for example, eclipses.” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/875/carl-sagan-160_belief_when-a-religious-couple-wrote-to-sagan-a_25095.jpg)
