American government Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“This American government - what is it but a tradition, though a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity, but each instant losing some of its integrity? It has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his will.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Civil Disobedience, 1849
Government is a tradition that loses integrity over time, unlike a single individual's will.
In simple terms: Institutions decay, individual will remains strong.
Key Takeaway
Empower personal agency.
Themes
government
tradition
integrity
individual will
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- civic engagement
- personal responsibility
- political reform
Key Concepts
political philosophy
autonomy
societal decay
Questions to Reflect On
- How can individuals influence institutions?
- What balances personal will with societal needs?
A Different Perspective
Collective systems can be rigid and impersonal.
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