Different Quote by John Stuart Mill
“Among a people without fellow-feeling, especially if they read and speak different languages, the united public opinion, necessary to the working of the representative government, cannot exist.”
About This Quote
Source Book: On Liberty by John Stuart Mill, 1859
A homogeneous public opinion is essential for representative government, but linguistic and cultural division prevent it.
In simple terms: Shared opinion needed for democracy; division blocks it.
Key Takeaway
Foster common ground across cultures.
Themes
democracy
representation
culture
language
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- community building
- multilingual societies
Key Concepts
social cohesion
public opinion
government legitimacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies bridge language gaps?
- What mechanisms promote shared public opinion?
A Different Perspective
Cultural diversity can also enrich democracy if managed well.
![“[For people] to refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.” quote by John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c53/john-stuart-mill-477_doubt_for-people-to-refuse-a-hearing-to-an-opi_63929.jpg)
