Country Quote by John Jay
“Those who own the country ought to govern it.”
About This Quote
Source Document: The Federalist Papers, 1787
Citizens should have a stake in governance; ownership implies responsibility and participation.
In simple terms: Own the country, then govern it.
Key Takeaway
Engage in civic duty.
Themes
democracy
citizenship
responsibility
Mood
critical
encouraging
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- voting
- community organizing
- public office
Key Concepts
political theory
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- What does responsible ownership look like?
- How can marginalized groups claim ownership?
A Different Perspective
Ownership alone doesn't guarantee effective leadership.
![“Too many in your state [Pennsylvania], as in this [New York], love pure democracy dearly. They seem not to consider that pure democracy, like pure rum, easily produces intoxication, and with it a thousand mad pranks and fooleries.” quote by John Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5f9/john-jay-31836_democracy_too-many-in-your-state-pennsylvania-as-i_2189878.jpg)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
