American government Quote by Emma Goldman
““Referring to the American government, the greatest American Anarchist, David Thoreau, said: "Government, what is it but a tradition, though a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity, but each instance losing its integrity; it has not the vitality and force of a single living man. Law never made man a whit more just; and by means of their respect for it, even the well-disposed are daily made agents of injustice.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: The Anarchist Manifesto, 1910
Government is seen as a tradition that loses integrity over time, lacking the power of an individual; laws do not inherently make people more just, and respect for them can turn good people into agents of injustice.
In simple terms: Government loses power, laws don’t guarantee justice.
Key Takeaway
Question institutions and personal integrity.
Themes
politics
justice
individualism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- activism
- legal reform
- personal ethics
- community organizing
Key Concepts
anarchism
social contract
morality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal integrity challenge unjust laws?
- When should individuals resist legal authority?
A Different Perspective
Institutions can provide stability and protect rights; not all respect for law is blind obedience.
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