--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Democracy maintains that government is…" description: "\"Democracy maintains that government is established for the benefit of the individual, and is charged with the responsibility of protecting the individu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aaf/harry-s-truman-898_ability_democracy-maintains-that-government-is-e_80353.jpg" --- # Democracy maintains that government is established for the… ![“Democracy maintains that government is established for the benefit of the individual, and is charged with the responsibility of protecting the individual, and is charged with the responsibility of protecting the rights of the individual and his freedom in the exercise of his abilities. Democracy…” quote by Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aaf/harry-s-truman-898_ability_democracy-maintains-that-government-is-e_80353.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aaf/harry-s-truman-898_ability_democracy-maintains-that-government-is-e_80353.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aaf/harry-s-truman-898_ability_democracy-maintains-that-government-is-e_80353.jpg) > “Democracy maintains that government is established for the benefit of the individual, and is charged with the responsibility of protecting the individual, and is charged with the responsibility of protecting the rights of the individual and his freedom in the exercise of his abilities. Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with reason and justice.” [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Democracy is presented as a system that exists to serve and safeguard each person's rights and freedoms, trusting that individuals can govern themselves responsibly through reason and justice. **In simple terms:** Democracy protects individual rights and trusts self‑governance. Key Takeaway Individual liberty underpins democratic legitimacy. Themes individual rights self‑governance reason justice political philosophy Mood hopeful principled Type political statement philosophical observation When to use this quote - crafting public policy - voting in elections - advocating civil liberties - designing constitutional frameworks Key Concepts citizenship freedom responsibility rule of law Practical Applications - civic education - policy analysis Questions to Reflect On - How does a society balance collective needs with individual freedoms? - What mechanisms ensure that self‑governance remains rational and just? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Conviction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conviction/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Individual freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual-freedom/) [Intellectual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) ## Related quotes > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [“Liberty has lost its spell; and democracy maintains itself by the promise of substantial gifts to the masses of the people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/liberty-has-lost-its-spell-and-democracy-maintains-itself-by-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The way to subject all things to thyself is to subject thyself to reason; thou shalt govern many, if reason govern thee. Wouldst thou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/the-way-to-subject-all-things-to-thyself-is-to-subject-thyself-to/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [Conservatives cannot govern well for the same reason that vegetarians cannot prepare a world-class boeuf bourguignon: If you believe that what you are called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-wolfe/conservatives-cannot-govern-well-for-the-same-reason-that-vegetarians/) [Alan Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-wolfe/) > [Democracy is based on the assumption that a million men are wiser than one man. How's that again? I missed something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/democracy-is-based-on-the-assumption-that-a-million-men-are-wiser/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Democracy is based upon empathy and the recognition that some decisions are solely for the community's benefit without regard to one's own narrow self-interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hickenlooper/democracy-is-based-upon-empathy-and-the-recognition-that-some/) [John Hickenlooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hickenlooper/) > [ If democracy is based on the people why force it \[on Iraq\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loesje/if-democracy-is-based-on-the-people-why-force-it-on-iraq/) [Loesje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loesje/) > [Our country's democracy is based on free and fair elections, the wisdom of the voters and the peaceful transfer of power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-suozzi/our-country-s-democracy-is-based-on-free-and-fair-elections-the/) [Tom Suozzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-suozzi/) > [The Western concept of democracy is based on the idea that the loser of an election has the possibility next time round of being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-kissinger/the-western-concept-of-democracy-is-based-on-the-idea-that-the-loser/) [Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-kissinger/) > [The United States presents a value system to the world that is based on democracy, based on economic freedom, based on individual rights for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/the-united-states-presents-a-value-system-to-the-world-that-is-based/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [Democracy is based upon so childish a complex of fallacies that they must be protected by a rigid system of taboos, else even half-wits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-louis-mencken/democracy-is-based-upon-so-childish-a-complex-of-fallacies-that-they/) [Henry Louis Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-louis-mencken/) > [Two hundred years ago, our Founding Fathers gave us a democracy. It was based upon the simple, yet noble, idea that government derives its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tsongas/two-hundred-years-ago-our-founding-fathers-gave-us-a-democracy-it-was/) [Paul Tsongas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tsongas/) > [If it be true that democracy is based upon the assumption that every man shall serve his fellow man, the organization of democracy should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-croly/if-it-be-true-that-democracy-is-based-upon-the-assumption-that-every/) [Herbert Croly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-croly/) > [Not everything is so bad... Whichever way you look at it, we feel that we can face the future when the liberal, democracy-based world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kersti-kaljulaid/not-everything-is-so-bad-whichever-way-you-look-at-it-we-feel-that-we/) [Kersti Kaljulaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kersti-kaljulaid/) > [Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-emerson-fosdick/democracy-is-based-upon-the-conviction-that-there-are-extraordinary/) [Harry Emerson Fosdick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-emerson-fosdick/) ## More by Harry S. Truman > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [We can never tell what is in store for us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/we-can-never-tell-what-is-in-store-for-us/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [All will concede that in order to have good neighbors, we must also be good neighbors. That applies in every field of human endeavor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/all-will-concede-that-in-order-to-have-good-neighbors-we-must-also-be/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Men often mistake notoriety for fame, and would rather be remarked for their vices and follies than not be noticed at all!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/men-often-mistake-notoriety-for-fame-and-would-rather-be-remarked-for/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [It is ignorance that causes most mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/it-is-ignorance-that-causes-most-mistakes/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Most of the time most people know the right thing to do ...its the doing of it that gives them trouble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/most-of-the-time-most-people-know-the-right-thing-to-do-its-the-doing/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Secrecy and a free, democratic government don't mix.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/secrecy-and-a-free-democratic-government-don-t-mix/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [It can be lost, and it will be, if the time ever comes when these documents are regarded not as the supreme expression of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/it-can-be-lost-and-it-will-be-if-the-time-ever-comes-when-these/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [On tight money: It reflects a reversion to the old idea that the tree can be fertilized at the top instead of at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/on-tight-money-it-reflects-a-reversion-to-the-old-idea-that-the-tree/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [The United States should not under any circumstances throw away our gun until we are sure the rest of the world cannot arm against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/the-united-states-should-not-under-any-circumstances-throw-away-our/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Although I hold the highest civil honour in the world, I have always regarded my rank and title as a Past Grand Master of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/although-i-hold-the-highest-civil-honour-in-the-world-i-have-always/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Some of the presidents were great and some of them weren't. I can say that, because I wasn't one of the great presidents, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/some-of-the-presidents-were-great-and-some-of-them-weren-t-i-can-say/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [A person who is fundamentally honest doesn't need a code of ethics. The Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount are all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/a-person-who-is-fundamentally-honest-doesn-t-need-a-code-of-ethics/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Our goal must not be peace in our time but peace for all time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/our-goal-must-not-be-peace-in-our-time-but-peace-for-all-time/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Millions of our citizens do not now have a full measure of opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health. Millions do not now have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/millions-of-our-citizens-do-not-now-have-a-full-measure-of/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) [Explore all 336 Harry S. Truman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Democracy maintains that government is established for the benefit of the individual, and is charged with the responsibility of protecting the individual, and is charged with the responsibility of protecting the rights of the individual and his freedom in the exercise of his abilities. 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