Believe Quote by Frances Perkins
“This leads to a question - if a great many people are for a certain project, is it necessarily right? If the vast majority is for it, is it even more certainly right? This, to be sure, is one of the tricky points of democracy. The minority often turns out to be right, and though one believes in the efficacy of the democratic process, one has also to recognize that the demand of the many for a particular project at a particular time may mean only disaster.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address on Democracy, 1936
Majority support does not guarantee moral rightness; minorities can be correct, and popular projects may lead to disaster.
In simple terms: Popular opinion isn’t always right.
Key Takeaway
Question consensus; consider minority viewpoints.
Themes
democracy
majority
minority
ethics
decisionmaking
Mood
cautious
analytical
critical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy voting
- community planning
- organizational strategy
- legislative processes
Key Concepts
political theory
ethics
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you seen majority opinion fail?
- How can minorities be heard effectively?
A Different Perspective
Popular pressure can overlook long‑term harm.
