--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The gentlemen who wrote the Constitution…" description: "\"The gentlemen who wrote the Constitution were as suspicious of efficient government as they were wary of democracy, a \"turbulence and a folly\" that was..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9b/lewis-h-lapham-7190_constitution_the-gentlemen-who-wrote-the-constitution_1802198.jpg" --- # The gentlemen who wrote the Constitution were as… ![“The gentlemen who wrote the Constitution were as suspicious of efficient government as they were wary of democracy, a "turbulence and a folly" that was associated with the unruly ignorance of an urban mob.” quote by Lewis H. Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9b/lewis-h-lapham-7190_constitution_the-gentlemen-who-wrote-the-constitution_1802198.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9b/lewis-h-lapham-7190_constitution_the-gentlemen-who-wrote-the-constitution_1802198.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9b/lewis-h-lapham-7190_constitution_the-gentlemen-who-wrote-the-constitution_1802198.jpg) > “The gentlemen who wrote the Constitution were as suspicious of efficient government as they were wary of democracy, a "turbulence and a folly" that was associated with the unruly ignorance of an urban mob.” [Lewis H. Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-h-lapham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Founders feared both strong government and pure democracy, seeing them as chaotic and foolish when driven by uninformed masses. **In simple terms:** Founders were wary of efficient government and democracy due to mob ignorance. Key Takeaway Balance effective governance with informed citizen participation. Themes politics history government democracy Mood critical analytical Type philosophical historical When to use this quote - constitutional debate - civic education - policy design Key Concepts skepticism elitism populism Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure informed participation? - What safeguards balance efficiency and democracy? A Different Perspective Modern contexts differ; the quote may oversimplify founders’ nuanced views. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Folly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/folly/) [Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Suspicious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suspicious/) [Turbulence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turbulence/) ## Related quotes > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Those who wrote the Constitution clearly understood that power is dangerous and needs to be limited by being separated - separated not only into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/those-who-wrote-the-constitution-clearly-understood-that-power-is/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [ One of the \[Million Mom\] marchers said 'the hands that rock the cradle rule this nation.' 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Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-h-lapham/) > [The leading cause of death is birth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-h-lapham/the-leading-cause-of-death-is-birth/) [Lewis H. Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-h-lapham/) > [Power broken into a thousand pieces can be hidden and disowned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-h-lapham/power-broken-into-a-thousand-pieces-can-be-hidden-and-disowned/) [Lewis H. Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-h-lapham/) [Explore all 93 Lewis H. Lapham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-h-lapham/) ## More Constitution quotes > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. 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