--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All such men are, or ought to be, agreed…" description: "\"All such men are, or ought to be, agreed, that simple governments are despotisms; and of all despotisms, a democracy, though the least durable, is the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf2/fisher-ames-19639_democracy_all-such-men-are-or-ought-to-be-agreed-t_2793915.png" --- # All such men are, or ought to be, agreed, that simple… ![“All such men are, or ought to be, agreed, that simple governments are despotisms; and of all despotisms, a democracy, though the least durable, is the most violent.” quote by Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf2/fisher-ames-19639_democracy_all-such-men-are-or-ought-to-be-agreed-t_2793915.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf2/fisher-ames-19639_democracy_all-such-men-are-or-ought-to-be-agreed-t_2793915.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf2/fisher-ames-19639_democracy_all-such-men-are-or-ought-to-be-agreed-t_2793915.png) > “All such men are, or ought to be, agreed, that simple governments are despotisms; and of all despotisms, a democracy, though the least durable, is the most violent.” [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. Simple governments are inherently despotisms; among them, democracy is the most violent despite being the least durable. **In simple terms:** Governments are oppressive; democracy is violent yet short‑lived. Key Takeaway Consider the trade‑offs of political systems. Themes politics government violence Mood critical historical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - elections - policy debates - civic education Key Concepts democracy authoritarianism stability Questions to Reflect On - What makes democracy uniquely volatile? - How can stability be achieved without oppression? A Different Perspective Violence can also stem from non‑democratic regimes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Despotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despotism/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent/) ## Related quotes > [Nothing is more deceptive or more dangerous than the pretence of a desire to simplify government. The simplest governments are despotisms; the next simplest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-webster/nothing-is-more-deceptive-or-more-dangerous-than-the-pretence-of-a/) [Daniel Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-webster/) > [It is always observable that the physical and the exact sciences are the last to suffer under despotisms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-henry-dana-jr-2/it-is-always-observable-that-the-physical-and-the-exact-sciences-are/) [Richard Henry Dana, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-henry-dana-jr-2/) > [I do not say that democracy has been more pernicious on the whole, and in the long run, than monarchy or aristocracy. Democracy has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-do-not-say-that-democracy-has-been-more-pernicious-on-the-whole-and-2/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“I do not say that democracy has been more pernicious on the whole, and in the long run, than monarchy or aristocracy. Democracy has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-do-not-say-that-democracy-has-been-more-pernicious-on-the-whole-and/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Unlike despotisms, modern democracies are not supposed promiscuously to accumulate property and then charge their taxpayers to maintain it. But that is what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buchan/unlike-despotisms-modern-democracies-are-not-supposed-promiscuously/) [James Buchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-buchan/) > [The whole conception of God is a conception derived from the ancient Oriental despotisms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-whole-conception-of-god-is-a-conception-derived-from-the-ancient/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Topographic conditions were the foundation of Greek democracy, just as those of a different kind gave rise to the Oriental despotisms of Egypt and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dale-davidson/topographic-conditions-were-the-foundation-of-greek-democracy-just-as/) [James Dale Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dale-davidson/) > [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/) > [ \[O\]ur sages in the great \[constitutional\] convention... intended our government should be a republic which differs more widely from a democracy than a democracy… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/o-ur-sages-in-the-great-constitutional-convention-intended-our/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [ \[the framers of the Constitution\] intended our government should be a republic, which differs more widely from a democracy than a democracy from a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/the-framers-of-the-constitution-intended-our-government-should-be-a/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Republican despotism is more fertile in acts of tyranny, because everyone has a hand in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/republican-despotism-is-more-fertile-in-acts-of-tyranny-because/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [When the savages of Louisiana wish to have fruit, they cut the tree at the bottom and gather the fruit. That is exactly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/when-the-savages-of-louisiana-wish-to-have-fruit-they-cut-the-tree-at/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [“The central government was a despotism tempered by military rebellion and assassination and replacement of one scurvy lot of ruling dynasts by another. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-f-cantor/the-central-government-was-a-despotism-tempered-by-military-rebellion/) [Norman F. Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-f-cantor/) > [At a distance, we cannot conceive of the authority of a despot who knows all his subjects on sight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stendhal/at-a-distance-we-cannot-conceive-of-the-authority-of-a-despot-who/) [Stendhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stendhal/) > [Generally, I like all islands. There, it is easier to rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/generally-i-like-all-islands-there-it-is-easier-to-rule/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) ## More by Fisher Ames > [A government by the passions of the multitude, or, no less correctly, according to the vices, and ambitions of their leaders is a democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/a-government-by-the-passions-of-the-multitude-or-no-less-correctly/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [I am commonly opposed to those who modestly assume the rank of champions of liberty, and make a very patriotic noise about the people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/i-am-commonly-opposed-to-those-who-modestly-assume-the-rank-of/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [The people as a body cannot deliberate. Nevertheless, they will feel an irresistible impulse to act, and their resolutions will be dictated to them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/the-people-as-a-body-cannot-deliberate-nevertheless-they-will-feel-an/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Liberty is not to be enjoyed, indeed it cannot exist, without the habits of just subordination; it consists, not so much in removing all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/liberty-is-not-to-be-enjoyed-indeed-it-cannot-exist-without-the/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Our liberty depends on our education, our laws, and habits . . . it is founded on morals and religion, whose authority reigns in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/our-liberty-depends-on-our-education-our-laws-and-habits-it-is/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Democracy, in its best state, is but the politics of Bedlam; while kept chained, its thoughts are frantic, but when it breaks loose, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/democracy-in-its-best-state-is-but-the-politics-of-bedlam-while-kept/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Why then, if these new books for children must be retained, as they will be, should not the Bible regain the place it once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/why-then-if-these-new-books-for-children-must-be-retained-as-they/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [No man can be a sound lawyer in this land who is not well read in the ethics of Moses and the virtues of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/no-man-can-be-a-sound-lawyer-in-this-land-who-is-not-well-read-in-the/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [ \[Why\] should not the Bible regain the place it once held as a school book? Its morals are pure, its examples captivating and noble.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/why-should-not-the-bible-regain-the-place-it-once-held-as-a-school/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [I have heard it remarked that men are not to be reasoned out of an opinion they have not reasoned themselves into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/i-have-heard-it-remarked-that-men-are-not-to-be-reasoned-out-of-an/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [I consider biennial elections as a security that the sober, second thought of the people shall be law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/i-consider-biennial-elections-as-a-security-that-the-sober-second/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Time never fails to bring every exalted reputation to a strict scrutiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/time-never-fails-to-bring-every-exalted-reputation-to-a-strict/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [A large portion of our citizens, who will not believe, even on the evidence of facts, that any public evils exist, or are impending.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/a-large-portion-of-our-citizens-who-will-not-believe-even-on-the/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [The House is composed of very good men, not shining, but honest and reasonably well-informed, and in time will be found to improve, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-ames/the-house-is-composed-of-very-good-men-not-shining-but-honest-and/) [Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) > [Should not the Bible regain the place it once held as a schoolbook? 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/) [Explore all 32 Fisher Ames quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-ames/) ## More Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. 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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. 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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. 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