--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Declaration [of Independence] was not…" description: "\"The Declaration [of Independence] was not a protest against government, but against the excess of government. It prescribed the proper role of governme..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ec/gerald-r-ford-2628_can-do_the-declaration-of-independence-was-not_2793163.jpg" --- # The Declaration \[of Independence\] was not a protest… ![“The Declaration [of Independence] was not a protest against government, but against the excess of government. It prescribed the proper role of government, to secure the rights of individuals and to effect their safety and happiness. In modern society, no individual can do this alone. So government…” quote by Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ec/gerald-r-ford-2628_can-do_the-declaration-of-independence-was-not_2793163.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ec/gerald-r-ford-2628_can-do_the-declaration-of-independence-was-not_2793163.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ec/gerald-r-ford-2628_can-do_the-declaration-of-independence-was-not_2793163.jpg) > “The Declaration \[of Independence\] was not a protest against government, but against the excess of government. It prescribed the proper role of government, to secure the rights of individuals and to effect their safety and happiness. In modern society, no individual can do this alone. So government is not a necessary evil but a necessary good.” [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that government’s purpose is to protect individual rights and promote safety and happiness, not merely to be opposed as oppressive. **In simple terms:** Government should protect rights and ensure well‑being. Key Takeaway Recognize government as a tool for collective security. Themes politics government rights Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - policy making - civic education - community organizing - public health initiatives Key Concepts social contract public good collective responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance liberty with collective safety? - When does government become a hindrance? A Different Perspective It may overlook government overreach or inefficiency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Declaration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration/) [Declaration of independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration-of-independence/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Excess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excess/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Modern society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-society/) [Necessary evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/necessary-evil/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Protest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protest/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) [Role of government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role-of-government/) [Safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safety/) ## Related quotes > [Government is only a necessary evil, like other go-carts and crutches. Our need of it shows exactly how far we are still children. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-phillips/government-is-only-a-necessary-evil-like-other-go-carts-and-crutches/) [Wendell Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-phillips/) > [I believe you can divide the people in to two basic groups, those who believe government is a necessary good and those who believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyn-nofziger/i-believe-you-can-divide-the-people-in-to-two-basic-groups-those-who/) [Lyn Nofziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyn-nofziger/) > [It is said that government is a necessary evil, but it is far more evil than it is necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/it-is-said-that-government-is-a-necessary-evil-but-it-is-far-more/) [James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/) > [Government is a necessary evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/government-is-a-necessary-evil/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [I too complain ceaselessly in my heart and in my words too. My very life is a protest. Against government, for instance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-day/i-too-complain-ceaselessly-in-my-heart-and-in-my-words-too-my-very/) [Dorothy Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-day/) > [“We need the mass movements, we need people to get together and march, or even just stand in one place, not only for those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-elkin/we-need-the-mass-movements-we-need-people-to-get-together-and-march/) [Lauren Elkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-elkin/) > [The First Amendment says that we can protest and call to - on our government to address grievances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-ellison/the-first-amendment-says-that-we-can-protest-and-call-to-on-our/) [Keith Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-ellison/) > [I fully support everyone's individual right to protest their government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tate-reeves/i-fully-support-everyone-s-individual-right-to-protest-their/) [Tate Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tate-reeves/) > [Liberalism, austere in political trifles, has learned ever more artfully to unite a constant protest against the government with a constant submission to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-herzen/liberalism-austere-in-political-trifles-has-learned-ever-more/) [Alexander Herzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-herzen/) > [“If men were angels, no government would be necessary…In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-men-were-angels-no-government-would-be-necessary-in-framing-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If men were angels, no government would be necessary - James Madison”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-berry/if-men-were-angels-no-government-would-be-necessary-james-madison/) [Steve Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-berry/) > [If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/if-men-were-angels-no-government-would-be-necessary-if-angels-were-to/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [“Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-macgregor-burns/ambition-must-be-made-to-counteract-ambition-the-interest-of-the-man/) [James MacGregor Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-macgregor-burns/) > [“It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/it-may-be-a-reflection-on-human-nature-that-such-devices-should-be/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [I've always made it clear that I do not believe that global government is either necessary or feasible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-strong/i-ve-always-made-it-clear-that-i-do-not-believe-that-global/) [Maurice Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-strong/) ## More by Gerald R. Ford > [My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/my-fellow-americans-our-long-national-nightmare-is-over-our/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [One of the enduring truths of the nation's capital is that bureaucrats survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/one-of-the-enduring-truths-of-the-nation-s-capital-is-that/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The old question still remains: Can a free people restrain crime without sacrificing fundamental liberties and a heritage of compassion?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-old-question-still-remains-can-a-free-people-restrain-crime/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [In the firm belief that the American public deserves a better explanation than that thus far given by the Air Force, I strongly recommend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/in-the-firm-belief-that-the-american-public-deserves-a-better/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The Federal role in overcoming barriers to needed health care should emphasize health care financing programs-such as Medicare and Medicaid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-federal-role-in-overcoming-barriers-to-needed-health-care-should/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [America now is stumbling through the darkness of hatred and divisiveness. Our values, our principles, and our determination to succeed as a free and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/america-now-is-stumbling-through-the-darkness-of-hatred-and/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The political lesson of Watergate is this: Never again must America allow an arrogant, elite guard of political adolescents to by-pass the regular party…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-political-lesson-of-watergate-is-this-never-again-must-america/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/this-is-an-hour-of-history-that-troubles-our-minds-and-hurts-our/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [In a democracy, the public has a right to know not only what the government decides, but why and by what process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/in-a-democracy-the-public-has-a-right-to-know-not-only-what-the/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [I had a life-long ambition to be a professional baseball player, but nobody would sign me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/i-had-a-life-long-ambition-to-be-a-professional-baseball-player-but/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [It's more like it is now than it ever has been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/it-s-more-like-it-is-now-than-it-ever-has-been/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Let America symbolize humanity's struggle to conquer nature and master technology. The time has now come for our Government to facilitate the individual's control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/let-america-symbolize-humanity-s-struggle-to-conquer-nature-and/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Personal excellence can be achieved by a visionary goal, through planning, dedicated execution, and total follow-through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/personal-excellence-can-be-achieved-by-a-visionary-goal-through/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/now-therefore-i-gerald-r-ford-president-of-the-united-states-pursuant/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [I had pro offers from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, who were pretty hard up for linemen in those days. If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/i-had-pro-offers-from-the-detroit-lions-and-green-bay-packers-who/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) [Explore all 157 Gerald R. Ford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) ## More Can do quotes > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [The happy medium is television. And if you find a good suitor, you can do it for years. With movies, you roll the dice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-campbell/the-happy-medium-is-television-and-if-you-find-a-good-suitor-you-can/) [Bruce Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-campbell/) > [If I had a million dollars, I just wouldn't just completely set back. I'd have to get out there and show my face to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muddy-waters/if-i-had-a-million-dollars-i-just-wouldn-t-just-completely-set-back-i/) [Muddy Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muddy-waters/) > [Anybody can be Prince Charming one day a year, with the dinner and the flowers and all that. But you know what impresses me?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-howard/anybody-can-be-prince-charming-one-day-a-year-with-the-dinner-and-the/) [Ryan Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-howard/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The amount of things you can do with a kettlebell is unsurpassed by any other training equipment - dumbbells, resistance machines, free weights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/the-amount-of-things-you-can-do-with-a-kettlebell-is-unsurpassed-by/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [It's nice when you've done enough movies that you can do your own anthology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/it-s-nice-when-you-ve-done-enough-movies-that-you-can-do-your-own/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [If people don't have their own vision, all they can do is 'sign-up' for someone else's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-senge/if-people-don-t-have-their-own-vision-all-they-can-do-is-sign-up-for/) [Peter Senge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-senge/) > [The one thing that flies in the face of all human history and experience, is that the government can do a superior job than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/the-one-thing-that-flies-in-the-face-of-all-human-history-and/) [James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/) > [...what I can do is offer myself, wholehearted and present, to walk with the people I love through the fear and the mess. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shauna-niequist/what-i-can-do-is-offer-myself-wholehearted-and-present-to-walk-with/) [Shauna Niequist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shauna-niequist/) > [Whether that's speaking up in your job or asking for a promotion or saying, 'I think I can do that.' Using your voice in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-shriver/whether-that-s-speaking-up-in-your-job-or-asking-for-a-promotion-or/) [Maria Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-shriver/) > [The average ordinary citizen can do a lot of different things when it comes to the climate crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-bender/the-average-ordinary-citizen-can-do-a-lot-of-different-things-when-it/) [Lawrence Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-bender/) > [A professional is a man who can do his job when he doesn't feel like it. An amateur is a man who can't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-agate/a-professional-is-a-man-who-can-do-his-job-when-he-doesn-t-feel-like/) [James Agate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-agate/) > [The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, as it pleases him, for he can do all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/the-lord-gives-and-the-lord-takes-away-as-it-pleases-him-for-he-can/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [I'm not an educated man. I only know what I'm told, and I'm not told that much; I have no frame of reference for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/i-m-not-an-educated-man-i-only-know-what-i-m-told-and-i-m-not-told/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) Browse all 5,673 Can do quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Declaration [of Independence] was not a protest against government, but against the excess of government. It prescribed the proper role of government, to secure the rights of individuals and to effect their safety and happiness. In modern society, no individual can do this alone. So government is not a necessary evil but a necessary good.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gerald R. 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