Danger Quote by Daniel Webster
““I apprehend no danger to our country from a foreign foe. Our destruction, should it come at all, will be from another quarter. From the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government, from their carelessness and negligence, I must confess that I do apprehend some danger. I fear that they may place too implicit a confidence in their public servants, and fail properly to scrutinize their conduct; that in this way they may be made the dupes of designing men, and become the instruments of their own undoing. Make them intelligent, and they will be vigilant; give them the means of detecting the wrong, and they will apply the remedy.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Congressional Address, 1850s, United States
The quote warns that internal neglect and blind trust in officials can be more dangerous than external enemies, urging public vigilance and critical oversight.
In simple terms: Neglect at home can be more harmful than foreign threats.
Key Takeaway
Stay informed and hold leaders accountable.
Themes
civic responsibility
government oversight
public vigilance
Mood
concerned
serious
Type
political
advisory
When to use this quote
- elections
- public policy debates
- community meetings
- media consumption
Key Concepts
democracy
trust
accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens effectively monitor government actions?
- What mechanisms ensure accountability?
A Different Perspective
If citizens are apathetic, vigilance alone may not prevent manipulation.
