--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have never thought it necessary to…" description: "\"I have never thought it necessary to patronize the American people.\" — Jim Mattis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/jim-mattis-7799_american_i-have-never-thought-it-necessary-to-pat_343834.jpg" --- # I have never thought it necessary to patronize the… ![“I have never thought it necessary to patronize the American people.” quote by Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/jim-mattis-7799_american_i-have-never-thought-it-necessary-to-pat_343834.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/jim-mattis-7799_american_i-have-never-thought-it-necessary-to-pat_343834.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/jim-mattis-7799_american_i-have-never-thought-it-necessary-to-pat_343834.jpg) > “I have never thought it necessary to patronize the American people.” [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaders should trust the public’s judgment rather than condescend to them. **In simple terms:** Don’t patronize citizens. Key Takeaway Respect public intelligence. Themes leadership democracy communication Mood respectful thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - policy briefings - public addresses - media interviews Key Concepts civic trust public discourse military ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders better engage citizens? - What examples show effective public trust? A Different Perspective Risk of underestimating public knowledge. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-people/) [Patronize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patronize/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [“Don’t patronize me, Caro”, he said, sounding even angrier. “You think I don’t know what it means to make this commitment but I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-harvey-berrick/don-t-patronize-me-caro-he-said-sounding-even-angrier-you-think-i-don/) [Jane Harvey-Berrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-harvey-berrick/) > [“Never patronize your readers. That means don't talk down to them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-greer/never-patronize-your-readers-that-means-don-t-talk-down-to-them/) Tom Greer > [Look closely at those who patronize you. Half are unfeeling, half untaught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/look-closely-at-those-who-patronize-you-half-are-unfeeling-half/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“Without good personal brands, whatever you do may not be accepted and patronized; without any brand at all, you may do something great which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/without-good-personal-brands-whatever-you-do-may-not-be-accepted-and/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [“Do not pander, patronize, scheme, or strategize,” his instincts told him. “Simply go about your business in your usual professional manner.” “But”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvin-d-yalom/do-not-pander-patronize-scheme-or-strategize-his-instincts-told-him/) [Irvin D. Yalom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvin-d-yalom/) > [“Don't patronize me or I'll break your face - Damian Wayne (Prime Earth)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-morrison/don-t-patronize-me-or-i-ll-break-your-face-damian-wayne-prime-earth/) [Grant Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-morrison/) > [Ninety percent of the children’s books patronize the child and say there’s a difference between you and me, so you listen to this story.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/ninety-percent-of-the-children-s-books-patronize-the-child-and-say/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [“I have made up my mind to say my say. I shall do it kindly, distinctly; but I am going to do it. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-ingersoll/i-have-made-up-my-mind-to-say-my-say-i-shall-do-it-kindly-distinctly/) [Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/) > [I like being a patron of things, I like patronizing things. And if it's not going to be people, I'll patronize a festival.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-gilliam/i-like-being-a-patron-of-things-i-like-patronizing-things-and-if-it-s/) [Terry Gilliam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-gilliam/) > [Reagan gave essentially the same speech from the beginning to the end of his political career, which was always, 'The American people are great,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-brands/reagan-gave-essentially-the-same-speech-from-the-beginning-to-the-end/) [H. W. Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-brands/) > [The American people are incredibly generous and even playful when you open yourself up and feed the media beast until it goes away satisfied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krystal-ball/the-american-people-are-incredibly-generous-and-even-playful-when-you/) [Krystal Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krystal-ball/) > [The coronavirus has yet again exposed the strong contrast between President Trump - who is working ardently for the American people - and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayleigh-mcenany/the-coronavirus-has-yet-again-exposed-the-strong-contrast-between/) [Kayleigh McEnany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayleigh-mcenany/) > [The American people reject the idea of giving Washington a blank check to increase the debt limit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-roby/the-american-people-reject-the-idea-of-giving-washington-a-blank/) [Martha Roby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-roby/) > [If a financial institution has business operations in the United States, hires people in the United States, if they are clogged with illiquid assets,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-paulson/if-a-financial-institution-has-business-operations-in-the-united/) [Henry Paulson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-paulson/) > [Well look, CIA is an agency that has to collect intelligence, do operations. We have to take risks and it's important that we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-panetta/well-look-cia-is-an-agency-that-has-to-collect-intelligence-do/) [Leon Panetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-panetta/) ## More by Jim Mattis > [There is no room for military people, including our veterans, to see themselves as victims, even if so many of our countrymen are prone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/there-is-no-room-for-military-people-including-our-veterans-to-see/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [The Corps is in good hands, and it's been a privilege to serve with the Leathernecks. Now it's time to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/the-corps-is-in-good-hands-and-it-s-been-a-privilege-to-serve-with/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [We should not fight wars without a clearly defined end state... when you go to war, it can't be a half-step.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/we-should-not-fight-wars-without-a-clearly-defined-end-state-when-you/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [It's very hard to live with yourself if you don't stick with your moral code.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/it-s-very-hard-to-live-with-yourself-if-you-don-t-stick-with-your/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [There is no God-given right to victory on the battlefield. You win that through the skill and the devotion, the valor and the ferocity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/there-is-no-god-given-right-to-victory-on-the-battlefield-you-win/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [The most important 6 inches on the battlefield is between your ears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/the-most-important-6-inches-on-the-battlefield-is-between-your-ears/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [Now from a distance, I look back on what the Corps taught me: to think like men of action, and to act like men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/now-from-a-distance-i-look-back-on-what-the-corps-taught-me-to-think/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [Most people know nobody in the military.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/most-people-know-nobody-in-the-military/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [Engage your brain before you engage your weapon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/engage-your-brain-before-you-engage-your-weapon/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [It's not an easy course. It's not designed to be. We're not here to get you in touch with your inner child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/it-s-not-an-easy-course-it-s-not-designed-to-be-we-re-not-here-to-get/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [I don't have the best track record with quotes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/i-don-t-have-the-best-track-record-with-quotes/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know, guys like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/you-go-into-afghanistan-you-got-guys-who-slap-women-around-for-five/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [I've lived a very colorful life, and I've said some things, But not once have I taken them back, and I've never apologized for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/i-ve-lived-a-very-colorful-life-and-i-ve-said-some-things-but-not/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [Basically, Islamic State is a combined al Qaeda and Lebanese Hezbollah on steroids, destabilizing the region, dissolving borders/changing the political geography in the Mid-east,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/basically-islamic-state-is-a-combined-al-qaeda-and-lebanese-hezbollah/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [I don't write policy for my government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/i-don-t-write-policy-for-my-government/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) [Explore all 87 Jim Mattis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) ## More American quotes > [I wasn't attracted to American cinema, but I fell in love with Los Angeles the minute I arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-wasn-t-attracted-to-american-cinema-but-i-fell-in-love-with-los/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [William Maxwell's my favorite North American writer, I think. And an Irish writer who used to write for 'The New Yorker' called Maeve Brennan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/william-maxwell-s-my-favorite-north-american-writer-i-think-and-an/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) > [I have fallen in love with American names, the sharp names that never get fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vincent-benet/i-have-fallen-in-love-with-american-names-the-sharp-names-that-never/) [Stephen Vincent Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vincent-benet/) > [I really like a lot of American country stuff, so my music has that influence, but I don't like to be set within a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-bird/i-really-like-a-lot-of-american-country-stuff-so-my-music-has-that/) [Jade Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-bird/) > [I certainly don't think that the heirs of the American Revolution were a particularly noble class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-brands/i-certainly-don-t-think-that-the-heirs-of-the-american-revolution/) [H. W. Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-brands/) > [Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in a tremendous investment to support millions of workers without a paycheck and behind on bills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-auchincloss/congress-passed-the-american-rescue-plan-act-in-a-tremendous/) [Jake Auchincloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-auchincloss/) > [Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and employ almost half of the working population. Yet because of their size, they rarely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-lipinski/small-businesses-are-the-backbone-of-the-american-economy-and-employ/) [Dan Lipinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-lipinski/) > [Although I write in English, and despite the fact that I'm from America, I consider myself an Armenian writer. The words I use are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-saroyan/although-i-write-in-english-and-despite-the-fact-that-i-m-from/) [William Saroyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-saroyan/) > [When we first sold the Wallace and Gromit shorts to America, people suggested we get rid of the strange British accents and put clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-park/when-we-first-sold-the-wallace-and-gromit-shorts-to-america-people/) [Nick Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-park/) > [Firefighters and rescue workers are American superheroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-kennedy/firefighters-and-rescue-workers-are-american-superheroes/) [Kerry Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-kennedy/) > [France has not only built a bureaucratic barrier against American culture, it has constructed a notorious intellectual case against it as well. The French…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-cowen/france-has-not-only-built-a-bureaucratic-barrier-against-american/) [Tyler Cowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-cowen/) > [New York and San Francisco are distinctly different. San Francisco is driving the American media, not New York. You have young, microwaved millionaires and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-whitlock/new-york-and-san-francisco-are-distinctly-different-san-francisco-is/) [Jason Whitlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-whitlock/) > [Well look, CIA is an agency that has to collect intelligence, do operations. We have to take risks and it's important that we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-panetta/well-look-cia-is-an-agency-that-has-to-collect-intelligence-do/) [Leon Panetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-panetta/) > [Food as a hobby used to be an elite pastime, and it has become something that is totally ordinary for people of every background.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-goodyear/food-as-a-hobby-used-to-be-an-elite-pastime-and-it-has-become/) [Dana Goodyear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-goodyear/) > [It's important for American soldiers to be culturally sensitive when deployed in foreign countries. But it's just as important for the U.S. never to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/it-s-important-for-american-soldiers-to-be-culturally-sensitive-when/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) Browse all 7,717 American quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have never thought it necessary to patronize the American people.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jim Mattis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/i-have-never-thought-it-necessary-to-patronize-the-american-people/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "American" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/i-have-never-thought-it-necessary-to-patronize-the-american-people/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/jim-mattis-7799_american_i-have-never-thought-it-necessary-to-pat_343834.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/jim-mattis-7799_american_i-have-never-thought-it-necessary-to-pat_343834.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/jim-mattis-7799_american_i-have-never-thought-it-necessary-to-pat_343834.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have never thought it necessary to patronize the American people.” — Jim Mattis", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jim Mattis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have never thought it necessary...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/i-have-never-thought-it-necessary-to-patronize-the-american-people/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/i-have-never-thought-it-necessary-to-patronize-the-american-people/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```