Acquire Quote by Jeane Kirkpatrick
![“Decades, if not centuries are normally required for people to acquire the necessary disciplines and habits. In Britain, the road [to democratic government] took seven centuries to traverse.” quote by Jeane Kirkpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4ed/jeane-kirkpatrick-12763_acquire_decades-if-not-centuries-are-normally-re_762756.jpg)
“Decades, if not centuries are normally required for people to acquire the necessary disciplines and habits. In Britain, the road [to democratic government] took seven centuries to traverse.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Democratic Development, 1980s
Long-term political change demands sustained effort and generational learning, often spanning centuries.
In simple terms: Democracy takes centuries to develop.
Key Takeaway
Invest in long‑term civic education.
Themes
politics
history
citizenry
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- education reform
- policy planning
- community organizing
Key Concepts
institutional development
civic virtue
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies accelerate civic learning responsibly?
- What safeguards prevent premature reforms?
A Different Perspective
Change cannot be rushed without risking instability.
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
