--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People do not want the state keeping…" description: "\"People do not want the state keeping information on its citizens for some ill-defined and unproven benefit.\" — Damian Green" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74b/damian-green-4883_citizens_people-do-not-want-the-state-keeping-inf_1604893.png" --- # People do not want the state keeping information on its… ![“People do not want the state keeping information on its citizens for some ill-defined and unproven benefit.” quote by Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74b/damian-green-4883_citizens_people-do-not-want-the-state-keeping-inf_1604893.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74b/damian-green-4883_citizens_people-do-not-want-the-state-keeping-inf_1604893.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74b/damian-green-4883_citizens_people-do-not-want-the-state-keeping-inf_1604893.png) > “People do not want the state keeping information on its citizens for some ill-defined and unproven benefit.” [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Citizens should resist state surveillance that lacks clear, proven benefit. **In simple terms:** Avoid government data collection without justification. Key Takeaway Demand transparency and accountability. Themes privacy government surveillance civil liberties transparency Mood skeptical concerned Type political activist When to use this quote - activism - policy making - legal challenges - public debate Key Concepts social contract data ethics public trust Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards could ensure justified data use? - How can citizens influence privacy legislation? A Different Perspective Balancing security needs with privacy is complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [“For the most part, the evidence shows that individual Americans do not care a great deal about politics and are rather poorly informed, unstable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-s-greenberg/for-the-most-part-the-evidence-shows-that-individual-americans-do-not/) [Edward S. Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-s-greenberg/) > [There is a huge difference between gathering intelligence in foreign countries, even our allies, and secretly getting information on U.S. citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/there-is-a-huge-difference-between-gathering-intelligence-in-foreign/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [Bureaucrats sometimes do not have the correct information, while citizens and users of resources do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elinor-ostrom/bureaucrats-sometimes-do-not-have-the-correct-information-while/) [Elinor Ostrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elinor-ostrom/) > [The state operates in a legal vacuum. There exists no contract between the state and its citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hermann-hoppe/the-state-operates-in-a-legal-vacuum-there-exists-no-contract-between/) [Hans-Hermann Hoppe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hermann-hoppe/) > [The bigger the State, the smaller the citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-bigger-the-state-the-smaller-the-citizen/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [The state has a duty to protect all its citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeyah-khan/the-state-has-a-duty-to-protect-all-its-citizens/) [Deeyah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeyah-khan/) > [If America is truly Israel's greatest ally, we should not be asking it to put its citizens and future at risk by forcing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-hasner/if-america-is-truly-israel-s-greatest-ally-we-should-not-be-asking-it/) [Adam Hasner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-hasner/) > [Governments regard their own citizens as their main enemy, and they have to be - protect themselves. That's why you have state secret laws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/governments-regard-their-own-citizens-as-their-main-enemy-and-they/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The reason I went to an all-boys Catholic school was because they had the best football team. We won the state championship my junior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-rossi/the-reason-i-went-to-an-all-boys-catholic-school-was-because-they-had/) [Theo Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-rossi/) > [I've always grown different types of facial hair like goofy type deals, but you know it really took off at Washington State when we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/i-ve-always-grown-different-types-of-facial-hair-like-goofy-type/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [We'd always come into Syracuse for the Empire State Games and the stair fair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beau-biden/we-d-always-come-into-syracuse-for-the-empire-state-games-and-the/) [Beau Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beau-biden/) > [Louisiana's spicy, colorful politics have saddled our state with a reputation for tolerating lax ethical standards in government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/louisiana-s-spicy-colorful-politics-have-saddled-our-state-with-a/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [If the polymer chain assumes a helicoidal conformation in the crystalline state, and if it does not contain asymmetric carbon atoms, it can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giulio-natta/if-the-polymer-chain-assumes-a-helicoidal-conformation-in-the/) Giulio Natta > [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) ## More by Damian Green > [Few political debates have been as divisive as the European one. I fought as hard as I could on the Remain side, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/few-political-debates-have-been-as-divisive-as-the-european-one-i/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [If we don't like modern Britain, then it is very unlikely that modern Britain will like us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/if-we-don-t-like-modern-britain-then-it-is-very-unlikely-that-modern/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [If we dismiss childcare or work-life balance as soft, or Labour issues, then we dismiss the main concerns of millions of people, especially women.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/if-we-dismiss-childcare-or-work-life-balance-as-soft-or-labour-issues/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [We have to consider who is going to be the best prime minister to take on a "one nation" agenda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/we-have-to-consider-who-is-going-to-be-the-best-prime-minister-to/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [Without the U.K. contribution to policing and anti-terrorism, the whole of Europe would be less safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/without-the-u-k-contribution-to-policing-and-anti-terrorism-the-whole/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [There are certain practices that may be historically acceptable to some people but that have no place in our culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/there-are-certain-practices-that-may-be-historically-acceptable-to/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [The Conservatives must never give the impression we exclude any group of British citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/the-conservatives-must-never-give-the-impression-we-exclude-any-group/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [Neither Left nor Right has a monopoly of virtue when it comes to smearing opponents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/neither-left-nor-right-has-a-monopoly-of-virtue-when-it-comes-to/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [Abolishing university tuition fees and getting rid of unnecessary speed cameras are ideas that can be grasped instantly, and grab the attention of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/abolishing-university-tuition-fees-and-getting-rid-of-unnecessary/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [Having ground my teeth at educational theorists who say Shakespeare is irrelevant to inner-city children, I was overjoyed to be there when a class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/having-ground-my-teeth-at-educational-theorists-who-say-shakespeare/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [The generosity of spirit that is usually shown by advanced democracies disappears when the public feel two things: that their government is not in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/the-generosity-of-spirit-that-is-usually-shown-by-advanced/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [From online local care portals to greater use of personal budgets we need wholesale change if we are to move the social care system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/from-online-local-care-portals-to-greater-use-of-personal-budgets-we/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [Around the world, including in the U.K., a version of Right-wing politics is growing that is based on dividing societies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/around-the-world-including-in-the-u-k-a-version-of-right-wing/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, there has been suffering and hardship on both sides of the generational divide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/throughout-the-coronavirus-pandemic-there-has-been-suffering-and/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [I think there should be a major cut in the power of government to interfere in the day-to-day running of our schools. I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/i-think-there-should-be-a-major-cut-in-the-power-of-government-to/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) [Explore all 105 Damian Green quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) ## More Citizens quotes > [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/) [Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/) > [I will be a model prisoner, as I have been a model citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-edwards/i-will-be-a-model-prisoner-as-i-have-been-a-model-citizen/) [Edwin Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-edwards/) > [The language we share is at the core of our identity as citizens, and our ticket to full participation in American political life. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-i-hayakawa/the-language-we-share-is-at-the-core-of-our-identity-as-citizens-and/) [S. I. Hayakawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-i-hayakawa/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [“The police ultimately pay the price for poor customer service when citizens become fearful of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-police-ultimately-pay-the-price-for-poor-customer-service-when/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [Worship isn't destructive, Martin. I know that. I don't. I only know it's the core of his life. What else has he got? He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-shaffer/worship-isn-t-destructive-martin-i-know-that-i-don-t-i-only-know-it-s/) [Peter Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-shaffer/) > [No greater victory can be won by citizens or soldiers than to transform temporary foes into permanent friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/no-greater-victory-can-be-won-by-citizens-or-soldiers-than-to/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [A free society depends upon a high degree of mutual trust. The public will not give that trust to officials who are not seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-cox/a-free-society-depends-upon-a-high-degree-of-mutual-trust-the-public/) [Archibald Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-cox/) > [My dreams were always small and puny. All I ever needed was a little house with a little picket fence by the sea. Little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imelda-marcos/my-dreams-were-always-small-and-puny-all-i-ever-needed-was-a-little/) [Imelda Marcos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imelda-marcos/) > [The average ordinary citizen can do a lot of different things when it comes to the climate crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-bender/the-average-ordinary-citizen-can-do-a-lot-of-different-things-when-it/) [Lawrence Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-bender/) > [I think most of us are raised with preconceived notions of the choices we're supposed to make. We waste so much time making decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bullock/i-think-most-of-us-are-raised-with-preconceived-notions-of-the/) [Sandra Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bullock/) > [Without the ability to talk about government power, there's no way for citizens to make sure this power isn't being misused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-swartz/without-the-ability-to-talk-about-government-power-there-s-no-way-for/) [Aaron Swartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-swartz/) > [Consequently, citizen legislators, rotating back to their communities after a short period of public service—considered an indispensable and routine characteristic and design of representative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/consequently-citizen-legislators-rotating-back-to-their-communities/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What I will stand up for is what I think is right and for the best interests of the citizens of the state of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-judge/what-i-will-stand-up-for-is-what-i-think-is-right-and-for-the-best/) [Patty Judge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-judge/) Browse all 4,189 Citizens quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "People do not want the state keeping information on its citizens for some ill-defined and unproven benefit.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Damian Green" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/people-do-not-want-the-state-keeping-information-on-its-citizens-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Citizens" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/people-do-not-want-the-state-keeping-information-on-its-citizens-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74b/damian-green-4883_citizens_people-do-not-want-the-state-keeping-inf_1604893.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74b/damian-green-4883_citizens_people-do-not-want-the-state-keeping-inf_1604893.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74b/damian-green-4883_citizens_people-do-not-want-the-state-keeping-inf_1604893.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“People do not want the state keeping information on its citizens for some ill-defined and unproven benefit.” — Damian Green", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Damian Green", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "People do not want the state...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/people-do-not-want-the-state-keeping-information-on-its-citizens-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/people-do-not-want-the-state-keeping-information-on-its-citizens-for/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```