--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Poverty in a democracy is as much to be…" description: "\"Poverty in a democracy is as much to be preferred to what is called prosperity under despots, as freedom is to slavery.\" — Democritus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/democritus-4814_democracy_poverty-in-a-democracy-is-as-much-to-be_1673838.png" --- # Poverty in a democracy is as much to be preferred to what… ![“Poverty in a democracy is as much to be preferred to what is called prosperity under despots, as freedom is to slavery.” quote by Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/democritus-4814_democracy_poverty-in-a-democracy-is-as-much-to-be_1673838.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/democritus-4814_democracy_poverty-in-a-democracy-is-as-much-to-be_1673838.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/democritus-4814_democracy_poverty-in-a-democracy-is-as-much-to-be_1673838.png) > “Poverty in a democracy is as much to be preferred to what is called prosperity under despots, as freedom is to slavery.” [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Democracy may tolerate poverty better than a despotic regime's false prosperity, just as freedom is preferable to slavery. **In simple terms:** Democracy tolerates poverty better than tyranny's false prosperity. Key Takeaway Value freedom over material comfort. Themes politics economics freedom Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - political debate - policy making - public discourse Key Concepts social contract inequality authoritarianism Questions to Reflect On - How does poverty affect democratic stability? - Is any poverty acceptable for freedom? A Different Perspective Freedom may be compromised by systemic poverty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Despots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despots/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [Prosperity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prosperity/) [Slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slavery/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [The faith in reason insists that the poverty of democracy offers a greater hope for mankind than the prosperity that attaches itself to aristocracy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/the-faith-in-reason-insists-that-the-poverty-of-democracy-offers-a/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [The moment the slave resolves that he will no longer be a slave, his fetters fall. Freedom and slavery are mental states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/the-moment-the-slave-resolves-that-he-will-no-longer-be-a-slave-his/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/the-question-before-the-house-is-one-of-awful-moment-to-this-country/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [Most of us came here in chains and most of you came here to escape your chains. Your freedom was our slavery, and therein…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-oliver-killens/most-of-us-came-here-in-chains-and-most-of-you-came-here-to-escape/) [John Oliver Killens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-oliver-killens/) > [Freedom from slavery is achieved only when a person starts to feel and understand that he would prefer death to life as a slave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarnail-singh-bhindranwale/freedom-from-slavery-is-achieved-only-when-a-person-starts-to-feel/) Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale > [In order to spend out our time (life) we sell some of this time. We work for someone, we labour. In freedom we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wasif-ali-wasif/in-order-to-spend-out-our-time-life-we-sell-some-of-this-time-we-work/) [Wasif Ali Wasif](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wasif-ali-wasif/) > [In many ways the rise of the state was the descent of the world from freedom to slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-harris/in-many-ways-the-rise-of-the-state-was-the-descent-of-the-world-from/) [Marvin Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-harris/) > [War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/war-is-peace-freedom-is-slavery-ignorance-is-strength/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Freedom and slavery are mental states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/freedom-and-slavery-are-mental-states/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“How could you have a slogan like “freedom is slavery” when the concept of freedom has been abolished?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/how-could-you-have-a-slogan-like-freedom-is-slavery-when-the-concept/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [“WAR IS PEACE FREEDOM IS SLAVERY”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/war-is-peace-freedom-is-slavery/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [The difference between freedom and slavery is one thin line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-difference-between-freedom-and-slavery-is-one-thin-line/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Freedom is slavery some poets tell us. Enslave yourself to the right leader's truth, Christ's or Karl Marx', and it will set you free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/freedom-is-slavery-some-poets-tell-us-enslave-yourself-to-the-right/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [The artist must elect to fight for Freedom or for Slavery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-robeson/the-artist-must-elect-to-fight-for-freedom-or-for-slavery/) [Paul Robeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-robeson/) > [Slavery it is that makes slavery; freedom, freedom. The slavery of women happened when the men were slaves of kings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/slavery-it-is-that-makes-slavery-freedom-freedom-the-slavery-of-women/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More by Democritus > [If your desires are not great, a little will seem much to you; for small appetite makes poverty equivalent to wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/if-your-desires-are-not-great-a-little-will-seem-much-to-you-for/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Men will cease to be fools only when they cease to be men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/men-will-cease-to-be-fools-only-when-they-cease-to-be-men/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Nothing exists but atoms and the void.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/nothing-exists-but-atoms-and-the-void/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [If thou suffer injustice, console thyself; the true unhappiness is in doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/if-thou-suffer-injustice-console-thyself-the-true-unhappiness-is-in/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Men have made an idol of luck as an excuse for their own thoughtlessness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/men-have-made-an-idol-of-luck-as-an-excuse-for-their-own/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [By desiring little, a poor man makes himself rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/by-desiring-little-a-poor-man-makes-himself-rich/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [People sometimes rationalize their greed by saying that it is all for the good of their children but this is nothing but an excuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/people-sometimes-rationalize-their-greed-by-saying-that-it-is-all-for/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Beautiful objects are wrought by study through effort, but ugly things are reaped automatically without toil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/beautiful-objects-are-wrought-by-study-through-effort-but-ugly-things/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Nature and education are somewhat similar. The latter transforms man, and in so doing creates a second nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/nature-and-education-are-somewhat-similar-the-latter-transforms-man/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [The wise man’s home is the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/the-wise-man-s-home-is-the-universe/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [“Accept nothing pleasant unless it is beneficial.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/accept-nothing-pleasant-unless-it-is-beneficial/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Raising children is an uncertain thing; success is reached only after a life of battle and worry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/raising-children-is-an-uncertain-thing-success-is-reached-only-after/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Nature . . . has buried truth deep in the bottom of the sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/nature-has-buried-truth-deep-in-the-bottom-of-the-sea/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [More men have become great through practice than by nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/more-men-have-become-great-through-practice-than-by-nature/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Happiness resides not in possessions and not in golds; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul. Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/happiness-resides-not-in-possessions-and-not-in-golds-the-feeling-of/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) [Explore all 106 Democritus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) ## More Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [For not only every democracy, but certainly every republic, bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-not-only-every-democracy-but-certainly-every-republic-bears/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Failure to find a way to incorporate political Islam in democracy, however uncomfortable its ideology is for secular liberals, will mean we have given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/failure-to-find-a-way-to-incorporate-political-islam-in-democracy/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) > [“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/all-voting-is-a-sort-of-gaming-like-checkers-or-back-gammon-with-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Browse all 11,220 Democracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Poverty in a democracy is as much to be preferred to what is called prosperity under despots, as freedom is to slavery.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Democritus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/poverty-in-a-democracy-is-as-much-to-be-preferred-to-what-is-called/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Democracy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/poverty-in-a-democracy-is-as-much-to-be-preferred-to-what-is-called/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/democritus-4814_democracy_poverty-in-a-democracy-is-as-much-to-be_1673838.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/democritus-4814_democracy_poverty-in-a-democracy-is-as-much-to-be_1673838.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/democritus-4814_democracy_poverty-in-a-democracy-is-as-much-to-be_1673838.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Poverty in a democracy is as much to be preferred to what is called prosperity under despots, as freedom is…” — Democritus", "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": "Democritus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Poverty in a democracy is as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/poverty-in-a-democracy-is-as-much-to-be-preferred-to-what-is-called/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/poverty-in-a-democracy-is-as-much-to-be-preferred-to-what-is-called/#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 } } ] } ```