Death Quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
“If I am part of a group of 100 people, do 99 people have the right to sentence me to death, just because they are majority?”
About This Quote
Source Philosophical essay, 1762
Majority rule can threaten individual rights; moral legitimacy requires protection of minorities.
In simple terms: The majority shouldn't decide a person's fate.
Key Takeaway
Guard minority rights against mob rule.
Themes
justice
politics
ethics
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- court decisions
- legislative voting
- public policy debates
Key Concepts
social contract
majority tyranny
Questions to Reflect On
- When should individual rights override majority will?
- How to balance democracy with protection?
A Different Perspective
Majority decisions can be flawed or biased.
