--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A government can be no better than the…" description: "\"A government can be no better than the public opinion which sustains it.\" — Franklin D. Roosevelt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/872/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_government_a-government-can-be-no-better-than-the-p_1047078.jpg" --- # A government can be no better than the public opinion… ![“A government can be no better than the public opinion which sustains it.” quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/872/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_government_a-government-can-be-no-better-than-the-p_1047078.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/872/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_government_a-government-can-be-no-better-than-the-p_1047078.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/872/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_government_a-government-can-be-no-better-than-the-p_1047078.jpg) > “A government can be no better than the public opinion which sustains it.” [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Government quality mirrors the public opinion that supports it. **In simple terms:** A government is only as good as the people who back it. Key Takeaway Cultivate informed, engaged citizens to improve governance. Themes civic duty democracy public opinion Mood hopeful urgent Type political inspirational When to use this quote - voting - community activism - policy advocacy - education reform Key Concepts political theory social contract Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens ensure their opinions are well‑informed? - What mechanisms can check public opinion’s influence? A Different Perspective If public opinion is misinformed, the government may still be flawed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better Public](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-public-861442/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-better-443964/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Opinion Sustains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion-sustains-2482259/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Public opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-opinion/) ## Related quotes > [Big-government proponents embrace both the power of the federal government and the idea that millions of Americans ought to be dependent on its largesse.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/big-government-proponents-embrace-both-the-power-of-the-federal/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) > [Ladies and gentleman, If I could just say a few words…I'd be a better public speaker!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ladies-and-gentleman-if-i-could-just-say-a-few-words-i-d-be-a-better/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Without better economic opportunity, you can't have better public security and vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enrique-pena-nieto/without-better-economic-opportunity-you-can-t-have-better-public/) [Enrique Pena Nieto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enrique-pena-nieto/) > [We should be able to get better, even if it's in the public eye - which a lot of our counterparts who are black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-dacosta/we-should-be-able-to-get-better-even-if-it-s-in-the-public-eye-which/) [Nia DaCosta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-dacosta/) > [Having always observed that public works are much less advantageously managed than the same are by private hands, I have thought it better for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/having-always-observed-that-public-works-are-much-less-advantageously/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Having a credible existence in the private sector frees people to be able to be better public servants. You're less concerned with... toeing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walker-stapleton/having-a-credible-existence-in-the-private-sector-frees-people-to-be/) [Walker Stapleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walker-stapleton/) > [The better off Indian can engage more deeply with political process to demand effectiveness from the institutions of the state. We can raise our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/the-better-off-indian-can-engage-more-deeply-with-political-process/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [I'd make a better U.S. president than George W. Bush. Bush is an idiot. I'm a better public speaker than him. It makes you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-williams/i-d-make-a-better-u-s-president-than-george-w-bush-bush-is-an-idiot-i/) [Robbie Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-williams/) > [If you want to know how to solve society's problems, you start out with better public education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bloomberg/if-you-want-to-know-how-to-solve-society-s-problems-you-start-out/) [Michael Bloomberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bloomberg/) > [We need better public education and more realistic education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-hart/we-need-better-public-education-and-more-realistic-education/) [Carl Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-hart/) > [So far I go with the Socialists as to think it a pretty general rule that, where monopoly is necessary, it is better in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-pollock/so-far-i-go-with-the-socialists-as-to-think-it-a-pretty-general-rule/) [Frederick Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-pollock/) > [There is no group in America that can withstand the force of an aroused public opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/there-is-no-group-in-america-that-can-withstand-the-force-of-an/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The loneliest feeling in the world is when you think you are leading the parade and turn to find that no one is following…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-loneliest-feeling-in-the-world-is-when-you-think-you-are-leading/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [I am particularly interested in the indications that the people seem to understand and approve the necessity of pursuing the course that will prevent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/i-am-particularly-interested-in-the-indications-that-the-people-seem/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [What worries me, especially, is that public opinion over here is patting itself on the back every morning and thanking God for theAtlantic Ocean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/what-worries-me-especially-is-that-public-opinion-over-here-is/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) ## More by Franklin D. Roosevelt > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Inquisitiveness is the most useful talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/inquisitiveness-is-the-most-useful-talent/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > ['Peace on earth, good will toward men' - democracy must cling to that message. For it is my deep conviction that democracy cannot live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/peace-on-earth-good-will-toward-men-democracy-must-cling-to-that/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [I have seen war ... I hate war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/i-have-seen-war-i-hate-war/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/i-have-seen-war-i-have-seen-war-on-land-and-sea-i-have-seen-blood/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [All of our people all over the country-except the pure-blooded Indians-are immigrants or descendants of immigrants, including even those who came over here on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/all-of-our-people-all-over-the-country-except-the-pure-blooded/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [They have given their sons to the military services. They have stoked the furnaces and hurried the factory wheels. They have made the planes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/they-have-given-their-sons-to-the-military-services-they-have-stoked/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [On the European Front the most important development of the past year has been the crushing offensive of the Great Armies of Russia...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/on-the-european-front-the-most-important-development-of-the-past-year/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The core of our defense is the faith we have in the institutions we defend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-core-of-our-defense-is-the-faith-we-have-in-the-institutions-we/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [War is a contagion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/war-is-a-contagion/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Labor Day symbolizes our determination to achieve an economic freedom for the average man which will give his political freedom realty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/labor-day-symbolizes-our-determination-to-achieve-an-economic-freedom/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Too often in recent history liberal governments have been wrecked on rocks of loose fiscal policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/too-often-in-recent-history-liberal-governments-have-been-wrecked-on/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The frontier of America is on the Rhine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-frontier-of-america-is-on-the-rhine/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/repetition-does-not-transform-a-lie-into-a-truth/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The future lies with those wise political leaders who realize that the great public is interested more in Government than in politics. The growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-future-lies-with-those-wise-political-leaders-who-realize-that/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) [Explore all 521 Franklin D. Roosevelt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) ## More Government quotes > [We could form a government of national unity fighting corruption. The ordinary Afghan is sick and tired of it, because it's she or he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashraf-ghani/we-could-form-a-government-of-national-unity-fighting-corruption-the/) [Ashraf Ghani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashraf-ghani/) > [For the Scottish government, the practice of having meetings in different parts of the country is well established, but for the U.K. government, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-sturgeon/for-the-scottish-government-the-practice-of-having-meetings-in/) [Nicola Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-sturgeon/) > [“The global population of Earth are involved in the following corporate government experiments: The long term effects of - 1. Nuclear bomb fallout radiation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-global-population-of-earth-are-involved-in-the-following/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Right now we're concerned about budget. Right now we're concerned about the prospect of interest rate rise. We're concerned about government corruption, government handing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amity-shlaes/right-now-we-re-concerned-about-budget-right-now-we-re-concerned/) [Amity Shlaes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amity-shlaes/) > [One of the worst things to come out of the Consumer Protection Board's misleading claims is the impression that government resources are to hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lesko/one-of-the-worst-things-to-come-out-of-the-consumer-protection-board/) [Matthew Lesko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lesko/) > [It is afraid of an informed, angry public demanding the constitutional government it was promised - and it should be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/it-is-afraid-of-an-informed-angry-public-demanding-the-constitutional/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [Louisiana's spicy, colorful politics have saddled our state with a reputation for tolerating lax ethical standards in government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/louisiana-s-spicy-colorful-politics-have-saddled-our-state-with-a/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) [Greg Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-perry/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [He is almost a statesman. He lies well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/he-is-almost-a-statesman-he-lies-well/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I mean those people who are interested in good government will certainly contribute in order to make certain there's some counter-balance to those whose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-breyer/i-mean-those-people-who-are-interested-in-good-government-will/) [Stephen Breyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-breyer/) > [We can't have a government that will collapse in three months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-varadkar/we-can-t-have-a-government-that-will-collapse-in-three-months/) [Leo Varadkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-varadkar/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Browse all 21,248 Government quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A government can be no better than the public opinion which sustains it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Franklin D. Roosevelt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/a-government-can-be-no-better-than-the-public-opinion-which-sustains/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Government" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/a-government-can-be-no-better-than-the-public-opinion-which-sustains/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/872/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_government_a-government-can-be-no-better-than-the-p_1047078.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/872/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_government_a-government-can-be-no-better-than-the-p_1047078.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/872/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_government_a-government-can-be-no-better-than-the-p_1047078.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A government can be no better than the public opinion which sustains it.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Franklin D. Roosevelt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A government can be no better...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/a-government-can-be-no-better-than-the-public-opinion-which-sustains/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/a-government-can-be-no-better-than-the-public-opinion-which-sustains/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```