American citizens Quote by H. L. Mencken
“To large numbers of American citizens life in certain parts of the country becomes intolerably hazardous. They may be seized on any pretext, however flimsy, and put to death with horrible tortures. No government pretending to be civilized can go on condoning such atrocities. Either it must make every possible effort to put them down or it must suffer the scorn and contempt of Christendom.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public address on civil liberties, United States, early 20th century
Government oppression that subjects citizens to arbitrary arrest and brutal execution is morally unacceptable and threatens the legitimacy of a civilized state.
In simple terms: State violence against citizens is intolerable.
Key Takeaway
Demand accountability and protect human rights.
Themes
civil liberties
state violence
human rights
morality
political responsibility
Mood
ouful
determined
critical
Type
political
ethical
activist
When to use this quote
- law enforcement reform
- judicial oversight
- civil society activism
- international pressure
- media exposure
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
rule of law
ethical governance
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms can prevent arbitrary state violence?
- How can citizens hold governments accountable?
A Different Perspective
Even lawful societies may struggle to fully eliminate abuse without systemic change.
![“By profession a biologist, [Thomas Henry Huxley] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences. Absolutely nothing was uninteresting to him. His curiosity ranged from music to theology and from philosophy to history. He didn't simply know something…” quote by H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f46/h-l-mencken-245_absolutely-nothing_by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-h_5368.jpg)
