Citizens Quote by Edward Gibbon
“Under a democratical government the citizens exercise the powers of sovereignty; and those powers will be first abused, and afterwards lost, if they are committed to an unwieldy multitude.”
About This Quote
Democratic power can be misused and lost when too many uncoordinated voices compete.
In simple terms: Too many voices can corrupt democracy.
Key Takeaway
Structure participation to prevent abuse.
Themes
politics
sovereignty
governance
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- elections
- public forums
- policy debates
- civic education
Key Concepts
democratic theory
political philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance participation with order?
- What safeguards protect against power abuse?
A Different Perspective
Strong centralization can also threaten liberty.
![“To draw around the whole nation the strength of the General Government as a barrier against foreign foes... is [one of the] functions of the General Government on which [our citizens] have a right to call.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d09/thomas-jefferson-43_barriers_to-draw-around-the-whole-nation-the-stre_130273.jpg)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
![“[In] the national and religious conflict of the [Byzantine and Saracen] empires, peace was without confidence, and war without mercy.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/338/edward-gibbon-710_byzantine_in-the-national-and-religious-conflict-o_29382.jpg)
![“[Every] hour of delay abates the fame and force of the invader, and multiplies the resources of defensive war.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4de/edward-gibbon-710_delay_every-hour-of-delay-abates-the-fame-and_94668.jpg)
