Admirable Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“Seen from a lower point of view, the Constitution, with all its faults, is very good; the law and the courts are very respectable;even this State and this American government are, in many respects, very admirable, and rare things, to be thankful for, such as a great many have described them; but seen from a point of view a little higher, they are what I have described them; seen from a higher still, and the highest, who shall say what they are, or that they are worth looking at or thinking of at all?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Civil Disobedience, 1849
From a modest perspective the Constitution and institutions seem admirable, but from a higher, critical view their true value is uncertain.
In simple terms: What looks good up close may be flawed when examined deeply.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and seek deeper truth.
Themes
politics
philosophy
criticism
skepticism
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- voting
- legal reform
- public discourse
- academic study
Key Concepts
social contract
ethical reflection
institutional critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of governance deserve your trust?
- How do you balance respect and critique?
A Different Perspective
Higher scrutiny can lead to cynicism and disengagement.
![“A lot of Americans have some view of the Constitution as just this thing that was handed down [intact]. But it really was the result of months and months of wrangling and disputation and ultimately compromise. That's where the brilliance of the American system is -- it's always been built on…” quote by Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bfc/bill-vaughan-706_brilliance_a-lot-of-americans-have-some-view-of-the_1729777.jpg)
![“I didn't get a chance to meet Glen [Beck] for this movie. I did meet him a few years ago, coincidentally, before any of this happened. But I've been familiar with his work, so I felt I wanted to get it right. I wanted to honor him. I respect him and I think the way he does his job is admirable…” quote by Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bee/zachary-quinto-4021_admirable_i-didn-t-get-a-chance-to-meet-glen-beck_138334.jpg)
