Affair Quote by Learned Hand
“Each one of us must in the end choose for himself how far he would like to leave our collective fate to the wayward vagaries of popular assemblies For myself it would be most irksome to be ruled by a bevy of Platonic Guardians, even if I knew how to choose them, which I assuredly do not I should miss the stimulus of living in a society where I have, at least theoretically, some part in the direction of public affairs.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Democratic Theory, 1945
Choosing personal involvement in governance matters; reliance on unpredictable popular assemblies can feel disempowering, while elite rule may lack personal stimulus.
In simple terms: Participate in public affairs or risk losing agency.
Key Takeaway
Engage in civic life.
Themes
democracy
participation
individual agency
political philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
philosophical
political
reflective
When to use this quote
- voting
- community organizing
- public comment periods
- local council meetings
Key Concepts
social contract
civic responsibility
elite vs mass governance
Questions to Reflect On
- How much influence do you realistically have in current politics?
- What balance between expertise and popular voice feels right?
A Different Perspective
Elite rule may not reflect personal values; popular assemblies can be chaotic.
