--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is foolishly thought by some that…" description: "\"It is foolishly thought by some that democratical constitutions will not, cannot, last; that the States will quarrel with each other; that a king, or a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddc/marquis-de-lafayette-9735_cannot_it-is-foolishly-thought-by-some-that-dem_886250.jpg" --- # It is foolishly thought by some that democratical… ![“It is foolishly thought by some that democratical constitutions will not, cannot, last; that the States will quarrel with each other; that a king, or at least a nobility, are indispensable for the prosperity of a nation.” quote by Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddc/marquis-de-lafayette-9735_cannot_it-is-foolishly-thought-by-some-that-dem_886250.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddc/marquis-de-lafayette-9735_cannot_it-is-foolishly-thought-by-some-that-dem_886250.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddc/marquis-de-lafayette-9735_cannot_it-is-foolishly-thought-by-some-that-dem_886250.jpg) > “It is foolishly thought by some that democratical constitutions will not, cannot, last; that the States will quarrel with each other; that a king, or at least a nobility, are indispensable for the prosperity of a nation.” [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Argues that democratic constitutions are vulnerable and may need hierarchical structures for stability. **In simple terms:** Democracy may need supporting institutions to endure. Key Takeaway Consider the balance between democracy and stability. Themes politics government stability Mood analytical critical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - constitutional drafting - political reform - national governance Key Concepts democratic theory institutional design historical context Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can protect a democracy? - Is a nobility necessary for prosperity? A Different Perspective Historical examples show democracies can survive without monarchs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cannot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cannot/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Constitutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitutions/) [Constitutions States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitutions-states-754299/) [Democratical Constitutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratical-constitutions-1102368/) [King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) [Nation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nation/) [Prosperity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prosperity/) [States Quarrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states-quarrel-1102370/) [Thought Democratical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-democratical-1102369/) [Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/will/) ## Related quotes > [The Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the constitutions of the several states, and the organic laws of the territories all alike propose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-b-anthony/the-declaration-of-independence-the-united-states-constitution-the/) [Susan B. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-b-anthony/) > [ We established however some, although not all its \[self-government\] important principles . 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It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/government-has-no-right-to-make-itself-a-party-in-any-debates/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“Modern national constitutions usually contain references to international law.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/modern-national-constitutions-usually-contain-references-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [State constitutions typically provide that the state first has to service its debt, then make it pension payments, and then pay for services. 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We have staked the future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/we-have-staked-the-whole-future-of-our-new-nation-not-upon-the-power/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [The EU Constitution is something new in human history. Though it is not as eloquent as the French and U.S. constitutions, it is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-rifkin/the-eu-constitution-is-something-new-in-human-history-though-it-is/) [Jeremy Rifkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-rifkin/) ## More by Marquis de Lafayette > [May the friends of America rejoice! May her enemies be humbled and her censors silenced at the news of her noble exertions in continuance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/may-the-friends-of-america-rejoice-may-her-enemies-be-humbled-and-her/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [The Huron and Iroquois forests are peopled by my friends; with me, the despots of Europe and their courts are the savages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/the-huron-and-iroquois-forests-are-peopled-by-my-friends-with-me-the/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [The Emperor Napoleon, ascending gradually from his post of national magistrate to seat himself upon a throne without limits, seems to have wished to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/the-emperor-napoleon-ascending-gradually-from-his-post-of-national/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [If the liberties of the American people are ever destroyed, they will fall by the hands of the clergy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/if-the-liberties-of-the-american-people-are-ever-destroyed-they-will/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [ If you were lost for America, there is nobody who could keep the army and the revolution \[going\] for six months. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/if-you-were-lost-for-america-there-is-nobody-who-could-keep-the-army/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [I have found a unique opportunity to distinguish myself and to learn my trade. 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Each citizen has some property, and all citizens have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/in-america-there-are-none-poor-and-none-even-that-can-be-called/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [May the States be so bound to each other as forever to defy European politics. 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