--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A government by the passions of the…" description: "\"A government by the passions of the multitude, or, no less correctly, according to the vices, and ambitions of their leaders is a democracy.\" — Fisher ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/fisher-ames-19639_ambition_a-government-by-the-passions-of-the-mult_92535.png" --- # A government by the passions of the multitude, or, no less… ![“A government by the passions of the multitude, or, no less correctly, according to the vices, and ambitions of their leaders is a democracy.” quote by Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/fisher-ames-19639_ambition_a-government-by-the-passions-of-the-mult_92535.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/fisher-ames-19639_ambition_a-government-by-the-passions-of-the-mult_92535.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/fisher-ames-19639_ambition_a-government-by-the-passions-of-the-mult_92535.png) > “A government by the passions of the multitude, or, no less correctly, according to the vices, and ambitions of their leaders is a democracy.” [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Democracy is portrayed as a system driven by the masses' emotions and leaders' flaws, implying it can devolve into mob rule. **In simple terms:** Democracy can become mob rule. Key Takeaway Power can be swayed by passion and vice. Themes political theory democracy leadership mass psychology ethics Mood cautious critical Type maxim observation When to use this quote - public policy debates - civic education - political campaigns - media analysis Key Concepts governance human nature authority Practical Applications - critical essays on governance - civic literacy curricula Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions guard against emotional manipulation? - What safeguards protect against leaders' ambitions? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) ## Related quotes > [It is essential..that you should form and adopt certain rules or principles, for the government of your own conduct and temper. 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Its morals are pure, its examples are captivating and noble…In no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/should-not-the-bible-regain-the-place-it-once-held-as-a-schoolbook/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Liberty has never lasted long in a democracy, nor has it ever ended in anything better than despotism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/liberty-has-never-lasted-long-in-a-democracy-nor-has-it-ever-ended-in/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) [Explore all 32 Fisher Ames quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) ## More Ambition quotes > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. 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