Benefits Quote by George Mason
“Government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit and security of the people, nation or community; whenever any government shall be found inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable, unalienable, indefeasible right, to reform, alter, or abolish it, in such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public Weal.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Virginia Declaration of Rights, 1776
People have an inherent right to change or overthrow a government that fails to serve their common good and security.
In simple terms: People can reform or replace bad governments.
Key Takeaway
Stand up for collective welfare.
Themes
political rights
government accountability
revolution
Mood
cautionary
inspirational
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public policy
- activism
- community organizing
Key Concepts
social contract
civil liberties
Questions to Reflect On
- What conditions justify reform?
- How can reforms be pursued peacefully?
A Different Perspective
Reforming can be destabilizing and may fail.
![“This cold weather has set all the young Folks to providing Bedfellows. I have signed two or three Licences every Day [as a Fairfax Justice of the Peace] since I have been at Home. I wish I knew where to get a good one myself; for I find cold Sheets extreamly disagreeable.” quote by George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b92/george-mason-8435_bedfellows_this-cold-weather-has-set-all-the-young_3953.jpg)
![“I charge [my sons] never to let the motives of private interest or ambition to influence them to betray, nor the terrors of poverty and disgrace, or the fear of danger or of death deter them from asserting the liberty of their country, and endeavoring to transmit to their posterity those sacred…” quote by George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/de1/george-mason-8435_ambition_i-charge-my-sons-never-to-let-the-motive_184620.jpg)
![“[The Dalai Lama] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could, and still things get worse in Tibet." If you look at it from one point of view, as he himself says, his monastic position of forbearance and nonviolence hasn't reaped any…” quote by Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fe/pico-iyer-1252_benefits_the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i_678.jpg)
