--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I say from time to time that the vote is…" description: "\"I say from time to time that the vote is precious. It's almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument that we have in a democrat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b7/john-lewis-1310_democratic_i-say-from-time-to-time-that-the-vote-is_1358431.jpg" --- # I say from time to time that the vote is precious. It's… ![“I say from time to time that the vote is precious. It's almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument that we have in a democratic society. And we must use it.” quote by John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b7/john-lewis-1310_democratic_i-say-from-time-to-time-that-the-vote-is_1358431.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b7/john-lewis-1310_democratic_i-say-from-time-to-time-that-the-vote-is_1358431.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b7/john-lewis-1310_democratic_i-say-from-time-to-time-that-the-vote-is_1358431.jpg) > “I say from time to time that the vote is precious. It's almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument that we have in a democratic society. And we must use it.” [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Voting is a sacred, powerful, non‑violent instrument that sustains democracy and must be exercised responsibly. **In simple terms:** Voting is a vital democratic tool. Key Takeaway Vote thoughtfully and often. Themes democracy citizenship rights responsibility Mood motivational serious Type political inspirational When to use this quote - elections - community meetings - policy advocacy Key Concepts political science ethics civic engagement Questions to Reflect On - How can you encourage others to vote? - What does voting mean to you personally? A Different Perspective Voter apathy can weaken democratic impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democratic society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic-society/) [Sacred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacred/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tools/) [Vote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vote/) ## Related quotes > [The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/the-vote-is-the-most-powerful-nonviolent-tool-we-have/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [The vote is precious. It's almost sacred, so go out and vote like you never voted before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/the-vote-is-precious-it-s-almost-sacred-so-go-out-and-vote-like-you/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [I've said it in the past and I'll say it again today: the vote is precious; it's almost sacred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-ve-said-it-in-the-past-and-i-ll-say-it-again-today-the-vote-is/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Even with flexible time off to vote, it's still difficult for our people to juggle work, polls, childcare, and other responsibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-edelman/even-with-flexible-time-off-to-vote-it-s-still-difficult-for-our/) [Richard Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-edelman/) > [“There has never been a more important time to vote for the Green Party!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/there-has-never-been-a-more-important-time-to-vote-for-the-green-party/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [If ever there comes a time when everyone you vote for wins and they do everything you think they should do, there will still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/if-ever-there-comes-a-time-when-everyone-you-vote-for-wins-and-they/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [I must sojourn once to the ballot-box before I die. I hear the ballot-box is a beautiful glass globe, so you can see all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sojourner-truth/i-must-sojourn-once-to-the-ballot-box-before-i-die-i-hear-the-ballot/) [Sojourner Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sojourner-truth/) > [There may be some difficulties, some interruptions, but as a nation and as a people, we are going to build a truly multiracial, democratic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/there-may-be-some-difficulties-some-interruptions-but-as-a-nation-and/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Sooner or later a democracy which is to survive has to be able to rely upon that enlargement of vision and purpose of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ordway-tead/sooner-or-later-a-democracy-which-is-to-survive-has-to-be-able-to/) [Ordway Tead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ordway-tead/) > [Setting aside labels, I am somebody who believes that government in a democratic society should be representing the needs of the vast majority of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/setting-aside-labels-i-am-somebody-who-believes-that-government-in-a/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [It is a mistake - as so many over-centralized socialist societies have discovered - to try to eliminate money as an incentive. Money is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-slater/it-is-a-mistake-as-so-many-over-centralized-socialist-societies-have/) [Philip Slater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-slater/) > [We live in a democratic society that allows me to fight the revolution in the corridors of power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bez/we-live-in-a-democratic-society-that-allows-me-to-fight-the/) [Bez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bez/) > [Change from below, the formulation of demands from the populace to end unacceptable injustice, supported by direct action, has played a far larger part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-benn/change-from-below-the-formulation-of-demands-from-the-populace-to-end/) [Tony Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-benn/) > [Free speech underpins our democratic society and our universities have a long and proud history of being places where students and academics can express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/free-speech-underpins-our-democratic-society-and-our-universities/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [The Only cure for nihilism is for liberal democratic societies - their electorates, their judiciary, and their political leadership- to insist that force is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ignatieff/the-only-cure-for-nihilism-is-for-liberal-democratic-societies-their/) [Michael Ignatieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ignatieff/) ## More by John Lewis > [ I happen to believe that this election year \[2016\] is...one of the most important elections that we're going to face in a very long… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-happen-to-believe-that-this-election-year-2016-is-one-of-the-most/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [If you're not hopeful and optimistic, then you just give up. You have to take that long hard look and just believe that if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/if-you-re-not-hopeful-and-optimistic-then-you-just-give-up-you-have/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [The reward for playing jazz is playing jazz.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/the-reward-for-playing-jazz-is-playing-jazz/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [I am very, very hopeful about the American South - I believe that we will lead America to what Dr. King called 'the beloved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-am-very-very-hopeful-about-the-american-south-i-believe-that-we/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [ \[Donald Trump's inauguration\] will be the first one that I miss since I've been in Congress. You cannot be at home with something that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/donald-trump-s-inauguration-will-be-the-first-one-that-i-miss-since-i/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [To question the legitimacy of the next United States president, you know, and you're worried about a tweet that says, hey, why don't you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/to-question-the-legitimacy-of-the-next-united-states-president-you/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [We are tired of being beaten by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jails over and over again. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/we-are-tired-of-being-beaten-by-policemen-we-are-tired-of-seeing-our/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Now we have black and white elected officials working together. Today, we have gone beyond just passing laws. Now we have to create a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/now-we-have-black-and-white-elected-officials-working-together-today/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [“For me, the nomination of Barack Obama as a candidate for president and his inauguration in Washington represents a brief glimpse at the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/for-me-the-nomination-of-barack-obama-as-a-candidate-for-president/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Too many people struggled, suffered, and died to make it possible for every American to exercise their right to vote.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/too-many-people-struggled-suffered-and-died-to-make-it-possible-for/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [The vote is precious. It's almost sacred, so go out and vote like you never voted before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/the-vote-is-precious-it-s-almost-sacred-so-go-out-and-vote-like-you/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [My position is very, very simple. That I fought too long and too hard against discrimination based on race and color, not to stand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/my-position-is-very-very-simple-that-i-fought-too-long-and-too-hard/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Many of us in Nashville accepted nonviolence as a way of life, a way of living, not simply as a technique or a tactic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/many-of-us-in-nashville-accepted-nonviolence-as-a-way-of-life-a-way/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Right now, what my job is - pardon me? Those are just words. Right now, what my - my job is right now going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/right-now-what-my-job-is-pardon-me-those-are-just-words-right-now/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [ Donald Trump has made it clear that certainly over the last few years that President \[Barack\] Obama was born in Hawaii. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/donald-trump-has-made-it-clear-that-certainly-over-the-last-few-years/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) [Explore all 258 John Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) ## More Democratic quotes > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [I am convinced that we will never build a democratic state based on rule of law if we do not at the same time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/i-am-convinced-that-we-will-never-build-a-democratic-state-based-on/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The Only cure for nihilism is for liberal democratic societies - their electorates, their judiciary, and their political leadership- to insist that force is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ignatieff/the-only-cure-for-nihilism-is-for-liberal-democratic-societies-their/) [Michael Ignatieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ignatieff/) > [Further more Yemen is leading pioneer in democratic practice, lots of brothers and friends testified on that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-abdullah-saleh/further-more-yemen-is-leading-pioneer-in-democratic-practice-lots-of/) [Ali Abdullah Saleh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-abdullah-saleh/) > [If Robert Heinlein is more to your taste than George Lucas: “If you are part of a society that votes, then do so. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-drum/if-robert-heinlein-is-more-to-your-taste-than-george-lucas-if-you-are/) [Kevin Drum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-drum/) > [But I don't think the Democratic Party is at eye level with the middle class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-i-don-t-think-the-democratic-party-is-at-eye-level-with-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We fight to defend our democratic ideals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-austin/we-fight-to-defend-our-democratic-ideals/) [Lloyd Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-austin/) > [I'm going to do everything I can to get myself elected, but that's not enough. I'm going to try to help move the Senate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-m-going-to-do-everything-i-can-to-get-myself-elected-but-that-s-not/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [While not widely reported, our victories in Iraq are plentiful. National elections, a democratic parliament and the drafting of a constitution are just some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gillmor/while-not-widely-reported-our-victories-in-iraq-are-plentiful/) [Paul Gillmor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gillmor/) > [The way I look at it is, cancer research is absolutely nonpartisan. Cancer is very democratic in the sense that it attacks people regardless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-h-koch/the-way-i-look-at-it-is-cancer-research-is-absolutely-nonpartisan/) [David H. 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These artists, the clothing designers, they want to connect with people the same way that music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/the-creatives-they-want-to-connect-with-people-these-artists-the/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [It's important to recognize that expanding the circle of opportunity and increasing the democratic potential of our own society, as well as those across…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/it-s-important-to-recognize-that-expanding-the-circle-of-opportunity/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) Browse all 2,850 Democratic quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I say from time to time that the vote is precious. It's almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument that we have in a democratic society. 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