--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: . . . the only legitimate reason that…" description: "\"“. . . the only legitimate reason that kingship is not attractive to us is because in this age and this world the only kings available are finite and s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/john-piper-255_democracy_the-only-legitimate-reason-that-kingship_615353.jpg" --- # . . . the only legitimate reason that kingship is not… ![“. . . the only legitimate reason that kingship is not attractive to us is because in this age and this world the only kings available are finite and sinful. Listen to C. S. Lewis describe why he believes in democracy: A great deal of democratic enthusiasm descends from the ideas of people like…” quote by John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/john-piper-255_democracy_the-only-legitimate-reason-that-kingship_615353.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/john-piper-255_democracy_the-only-legitimate-reason-that-kingship_615353.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/john-piper-255_democracy_the-only-legitimate-reason-that-kingship_615353.jpg) > ““. . . the only legitimate reason that kingship is not attractive to us is because in this age and this world the only kings available are finite and sinful. Listen to C. S. Lewis describe why he believes in democracy: A great deal of democratic enthusiasm descends from the ideas of people like Rousseau, who believed in democracy because they thought mankind so wise and good that everyone deserved a share in the government. The danger of defending democracy on those grounds is that they’re not true. . . I find that they’re not true without looking further than myself. I don’t deserve a share in governing a hen-roost, much less a nation. . . . The real reason for democracy is . . . Mankind is so fallen that no man can be trusted with unchecked power over his fellows. Aristotle said that some people were only fit to be slaves. I do not contradict him. But I reject slavery because I see no men fit to be masters.1 If there could be a king who is not limited in his wisdom and power and goodness and love for his subjects, then monarchy would be the best of all governments. If such a ruler could ever rise in the world—with no weakness, no folly, no sin—then no wise and humble person would ever want democracy again. The question is not whether God broke into the universe as a king. He did. The question is: What kind of king is he? What difference would his kingship make for you?”” [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that human governments are flawed because people are sinful and untrustworthy, so democracy is a pragmatic compromise rather than an ideal, and only a perfect, divine king could truly be just. **In simple terms:** Human governments are imperfect; democracy works despite flaws. Key Takeaway Accept democracy as a practical system, not a perfect one. Themes politics human nature government theology philosophy Mood thoughtful serious Type theological political reflective When to use this quote - political debate - church teaching - ethical discussions - public policy - personal reflection Key Concepts sin trust authority divine kingship democratic theory Questions to Reflect On - What virtues are essential for a leader? - Can democracy be improved without divine intervention? A Different Perspective It assumes no human can be fully virtuous, which may overlook potential for reform and good leadership. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believes Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believes-democracy-2515959/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democracy Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-thought-1583270/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Humble person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humble-person/) [Kingship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kingship/) [Kingship Attractive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kingship-attractive-4989159/) [Reason Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason-democracy-1070610/) [Reason Kingship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason-kingship-4989160/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [ “I am a democrat \[proponent of democracy\] because I believe in the Fall of Man. I think most people are democrats for the opposite… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/i-am-a-democrat-proponent-of-democracy-because-i-believe-in-the-fall/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [“A great deal of democratic enthusiasm descends from the ideas of people like Rousseau, who believed in democracy because they thought mankind so wise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/a-great-deal-of-democratic-enthusiasm-descends-from-the-ideas-of/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [And what has come to prevail in democracies is the very reverse of beneficial, in those, that is, which are regarded as the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/and-what-has-come-to-prevail-in-democracies-is-the-very-reverse-of/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [“And seek first in all you do to make known His kingship over your life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/and-seek-first-in-all-you-do-to-make-known-his-kingship-over-your-life/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [You know better than I that in a Republic talent is always suspect. 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Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [The government of man should be the monarchy of reason: it is too often the democracy of passions or the anarchy of humors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/the-government-of-man-should-be-the-monarchy-of-reason-it-is-too/) [Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/) > [“The real reason for democracy is just the reverse. Mankind is so fallen that no man can be trusted with unchecked power over his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/the-real-reason-for-democracy-is-just-the-reverse-mankind-is-so/) [C.S. 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They can have a strong economy, they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/president-bush-announced-tonight-that-he-believes-in-democracy-and/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) ## More by John Piper > [“Even in the miserable guilt we feel over our beastlike insensitivity, the glory of God shines. If God were not gloriously desirable, why would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/even-in-the-miserable-guilt-we-feel-over-our-beastlike-insensitivity/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [The absence of God in most spheres of life is perceived to be normal, and even Christians feel it as normal - which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-absence-of-god-in-most-spheres-of-life-is-perceived-to-be-normal/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“The Spirit inspired the Word and therefore He goes where the Word goes. 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Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. 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Lewis describe why he believes in democracy: A great deal of democratic enthusiasm descends from the ideas of people like Rousseau, who believed in democracy because they thought mankind so wise and good that everyone deserved a share in the government. The danger of defending democracy on those grounds is that they’re not true. . . I find that they’re not true without looking further than myself. I don’t deserve a share in governing a hen-roost, much less a nation. . . . The real reason for democracy is . . . Mankind is so fallen that no man can be trusted with unchecked power over his fellows. Aristotle said that some people were only fit to be slaves. I do not contradict him. But I reject slavery because I see no men fit to be masters.1 If there could be a king who is not limited in his wisdom and power and goodness and love for his subjects, then monarchy would be the best of all governments. If such a ruler could ever rise in the world—with no weakness, no folly, no sin—then no wise and humble person would ever want democracy again. The question is not whether God broke into the universe as a king. He did. The question is: What kind of king is he? 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