--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Government in its infancy had no regular…" description: "\"“Government in its infancy had no regular and permanent form. For want of a sufficient fund of philosophy and experience, men could see no further than..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_government_government-in-its-infancy-had-no-regular_1136060.png" --- # Government in its infancy had no regular and permanent… ![“Government in its infancy had no regular and permanent form. For want of a sufficient fund of philosophy and experience, men could see no further than the present inconveniences, and never thought of providing remedies for future ones, but in proportion as they arose.” quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_government_government-in-its-infancy-had-no-regular_1136060.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_government_government-in-its-infancy-had-no-regular_1136060.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/jean-jacques-rousseau-418_government_government-in-its-infancy-had-no-regular_1136060.png) > ““Government in its infancy had no regular and permanent form. For want of a sufficient fund of philosophy and experience, men could see no further than the present inconveniences, and never thought of providing remedies for future ones, but in proportion as they arose.”” [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early governments lack stable structures and foresight, acting only on immediate problems without planning for future challenges. **In simple terms:** New states focus on current issues, ignoring long‑term solutions. Key Takeaway Plan ahead, build lasting institutions. Themes politics governance future planning experience philosophy Mood reflective analytical critical Type historical philosophical political When to use this quote - drafting constitutions - budget planning - long‑term infrastructure projects - education reform Key Concepts institutional development policy foresight historical analysis Questions to Reflect On - How can societies balance immediate needs with future preparedness? - What mechanisms ensure lasting institutional memory? A Different Perspective Limited resources and knowledge can hinder effective long‑term planning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fund Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fund-philosophy-3144898/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government Infancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-infancy-3144895/) [Inconveniences Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inconveniences-thought-3144897/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Philosophy Experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-experience-2086503/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Proportion Arose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proportion-arose-3144896/) [Shortsightedness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shortsightedness/) ## Related quotes > [“The same thing is true of the experience of art. 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What would your great soul have thought, if to your own misfortune you had been called back to life and had seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/o-fabricius-what-would-your-great-soul-have-thought-if-to-your-own/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [“The sword wears out its sheath, as it is sometimes said. That is my story. My passions have made me live, and my passions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/the-sword-wears-out-its-sheath-as-it-is-sometimes-said-that-is-my/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [Whence do I get my rules of conduct? I find them in my heart. Whatever I feel to be good is good. Whatever I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/whence-do-i-get-my-rules-of-conduct-i-find-them-in-my-heart-whatever/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [“If one divided all of human science into two parts - the one common to all men, the other particular to the learned -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/if-one-divided-all-of-human-science-into-two-parts-the-one-common-to/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [The social compact sets up among the citizens as equality of such kind, that they all bind themselves to observe the same conditions and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/the-social-compact-sets-up-among-the-citizens-as-equality-of-such/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [I do not know is a phrase which becomes us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/i-do-not-know-is-a-phrase-which-becomes-us/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [“How could I become wicked, when I had nothing but examples of gentleness before my eyes, and none around me but the best people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/how-could-i-become-wicked-when-i-had-nothing-but-examples-of/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) [Explore all 518 Jean-Jacques Rousseau quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) ## More Government quotes > [We could form a government of national unity fighting corruption. 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