--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A pure democracy is generally a very bad…" description: "\"A pure democracy is generally a very bad government, It is often the most tyrannical government on earth; for a multitude is often rash, and will not h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/noah-webster-8440_bad-government_a-pure-democracy-is-generally-a-very-bad_2817896.jpg" --- # A pure democracy is generally a very bad government, It is… ![“A pure democracy is generally a very bad government, It is often the most tyrannical government on earth; for a multitude is often rash, and will not hear reason.” quote by Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/noah-webster-8440_bad-government_a-pure-democracy-is-generally-a-very-bad_2817896.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/noah-webster-8440_bad-government_a-pure-democracy-is-generally-a-very-bad_2817896.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/noah-webster-8440_bad-government_a-pure-democracy-is-generally-a-very-bad_2817896.jpg) > “A pure democracy is generally a very bad government, It is often the most tyrannical government on earth; for a multitude is often rash, and will not hear reason.” [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that pure democracy often leads to tyranny because the masses can be impulsive and ignore reason. **In simple terms:** Democracy can become tyrannical. Key Takeaway Balance popular will with checks. Themes politics government democracy Mood critical thoughtful Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - civic education - public debate - legislative reform Key Concepts tyranny mass opinion reasoning Questions to Reflect On - How can reason guide popular decisions? - What safeguards prevent tyranny? A Different Perspective Ideal democracy is hard to achieve. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-government/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democracy Generally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-generally-3566474/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government Tyrannical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-tyrannical-3566473/) [Multitudes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/multitudes/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Pure Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pure-democracy-536654/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Tyrannical Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyrannical-government-3566472/) ## Related quotes > [The Second Amendment is the right to keep and bear arms for our citizenryThis is for usThis is for us when our government becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharron-angle/the-second-amendment-is-the-right-to-keep-and-bear-arms-for-our/) [Sharron Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharron-angle/) > [Democracy generally monopolizes and concentrates power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/democracy-generally-monopolizes-and-concentrates-power/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [Singling out political opponents for working against the ruling party is precisely the tactic of every tyrannical government from Red China to Venezuela. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-carter/singling-out-political-opponents-for-working-against-the-ruling-party/) [John Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-carter/) > [“In the long run, even a tyrannical government only has the power that the people confer on it and coming to understand history is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nilantha-ilangamuwa/in-the-long-run-even-a-tyrannical-government-only-has-the-power-that/) [Nilantha Ilangamuwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nilantha-ilangamuwa/) > [The object of every free government is the public good, and all lesser interests yield to it. That of every tyrannical government, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-junius-brutus-the-younger/the-object-of-every-free-government-is-the-public-good-and-all-lesser/) [Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-junius-brutus-the-younger/) > [If the government decides to become a tyrannical government, our guns are to protect us against that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-norris/if-the-government-decides-to-become-a-tyrannical-government-our-guns/) [Chuck Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-norris/) > [ The result of cutting \[political power\] up into little bits is simply that the man who can sweep the greatest number into one heap… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fitzjames-stephen/the-result-of-cutting-political-power-up-into-little-bits-is-simply/) [James Fitzjames Stephen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fitzjames-stephen/) > [“From this view of the subject it may be concluded that a pure democracy, by which I mean a society consisting of a small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/from-this-view-of-the-subject-it-may-be-concluded-that-a-pure/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [ “Too many in your state \[Pennsylvania\], as in this \[New York\], love pure democracy dearly. They seem not to consider that pure democracy, like… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-jay/too-many-in-your-state-pennsylvania-as-in-this-new-york-love-pure/) [John Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jay/) > [The science of war leads one to dictatorship, pure and simple. The science of non-violence alone can lead one to pure democracy. Power based…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/the-science-of-war-leads-one-to-dictatorship-pure-and-simple-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [It may be concluded that a pure democracy . . . can admit no cure for the mischiefs of faction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/it-may-be-concluded-that-a-pure-democracy-can-admit-no-cure-for-the/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [The form of government and the condition of society must always correspond. Social equality is therefore a postulate of pure democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-form-of-government-and-the-condition-of-society-must-always/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [What is the purpose of the electoral college? It has a few purposes. One, it's to restrain pure democracy. Very good, very important, that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-knowles/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-electoral-college-it-has-a-few-purposes/) [Michael J. Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-knowles/) > [The science of nonviolence can alone lead one to pure democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/the-science-of-nonviolence-can-alone-lead-one-to-pure-democracy/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [A pure Democracy, by which I mean a Society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the Government in person,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/a-pure-democracy-by-which-i-mean-a-society-consisting-of-a-small/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) ## More by Noah Webster > [In the formation of such a government, it is not only the right, but the indispensable duty of every citizen to examine the principles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/in-the-formation-of-such-a-government-it-is-not-only-the-right-but/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [The freedom of the press is a valuable privilege; but the abuse of it, in this country, is a frightful evil. The licentiousness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/the-freedom-of-the-press-is-a-valuable-privilege-but-the-abuse-of-it/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [EDUCATION, n. The bringing up, as of a child; instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/education-n-the-bringing-up-as-of-a-child-instruction-formation-of/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [The education of youth, an employment of more consequence than making laws and preaching the gospel, because it lays the foundation on which both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/the-education-of-youth-an-employment-of-more-consequence-than-making/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [Every civil government is based upon some religion or philosophy of life. Education in a nation will propagate the religion of that nation. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/every-civil-government-is-based-upon-some-religion-or-philosophy-of/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [The virtues of men are of more consequence to society than their abilities, and for this reason, the heart should be cultivated with more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/the-virtues-of-men-are-of-more-consequence-to-society-than-their/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [It is alleged by men of loose principles , or defective views of the subject, that religion and morality are not necessary or important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/it-is-alleged-by-men-of-loose-principles-or-defective-views-of-the/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [ \[T\]he Christian religion, in its purity, is the basis, or rather the source of all genuine freedom in government. . . . and I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/t-he-christian-religion-in-its-purity-is-the-basis-or-rather-the/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [An immense effect may be produced by small powers wisely and steadily directed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/an-immense-effect-may-be-produced-by-small-powers-wisely-and-steadily/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [The Moral Law is summarily contained in the Decalogue or Ten Commandments; written by the finger of God on two tablets of stone, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/the-moral-law-is-summarily-contained-in-the-decalogue-or-ten/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [It is the sincere desire of the writer that our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/it-is-the-sincere-desire-of-the-writer-that-our-citizens-should-early/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [Knowledge, learning, talents are not necessarily connected with sound moral and political principles… And eminent abilities, accompanied with depravity of heart, render the possessor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/knowledge-learning-talents-are-not-necessarily-connected-with-sound/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [Might his last glance behold the glorious ensign of the Republic still full high advanced, its arms and trophies streaming in all their original…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/might-his-last-glance-behold-the-glorious-ensign-of-the-republic/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [Ability is active power, or power to perform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/ability-is-active-power-or-power-to-perform/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [The Bible was America's basic textbook in all fields.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/the-bible-was-america-s-basic-textbook-in-all-fields/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) [Explore all 81 Noah Webster quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) ## More Bad government quotes > [History, in general, only informs us of what bad government is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/history-in-general-only-informs-us-of-what-bad-government-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [People are so docile right now. It is almost as if good government means when the politicians lie to us for our own good,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bovard/people-are-so-docile-right-now-it-is-almost-as-if-good-government/) [James Bovard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bovard/) > [The worst evils which mankind has ever had to endure were inflicted by bad governments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/the-worst-evils-which-mankind-has-ever-had-to-endure-were-inflicted/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [“Only bad religions depend on mysteries, just as bad governments depend on secret police." A character's response to a discussion about eating from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alasdair-gray/only-bad-religions-depend-on-mysteries-just-as-bad-governments-depend/) [Alasdair Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alasdair-gray/) > [“Bad governments always lie because telling the truth requires honour and courage!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/bad-governments-always-lie-because-telling-the-truth-requires-honour/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“The Complexities Of Life Caused By Bad Government Leaderships And Parental Mistakes Can Make A Child More Matured Than Their Age. It Happened To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baba-tunde-ojo-olubiyo/the-complexities-of-life-caused-by-bad-government-leaderships-and/) [Baba Tunde Ojo-Olubiyo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baba-tunde-ojo-olubiyo/) > [The root cause of poverty is social injustice and the bad government that abets it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/the-root-cause-of-poverty-is-social-injustice-and-the-bad-government/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [“It may be bad for you, but government has no role in dictating our lives. People should be free to imprison themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/it-may-be-bad-for-you-but-government-has-no-role-in-dictating-our/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [A feeble executive implies a feeble execution of the government. A feeble execution is but another phrase for a bad execution; and a government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/a-feeble-executive-implies-a-feeble-execution-of-the-government-a/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Where there is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government, which sooner or later becomes autocratic government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lyon-mackenzie-king/where-there-is-little-or-no-public-opinion-there-is-likely-to-be-bad/) [William Lyon Mackenzie King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lyon-mackenzie-king/) > [My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/my-reading-of-history-convinces-me-that-most-bad-government-results/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A people can prosper under a very bad government and suffer under a very good one, if in the first case the local administration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/a-people-can-prosper-under-a-very-bad-government-and-suffer-under-a/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [“If a government has the weak eyesight of a mole, that government only brings disaster to that country! The ability to see far is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-a-government-has-the-weak-eyesight-of-a-mole-that-government-only/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [To lodge all power in one party and keep it there is to insure bad government and the sure and gradual deterioration of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/to-lodge-all-power-in-one-party-and-keep-it-there-is-to-insure-bad/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [A government which is not liked by the artists is certainly a bad government, because artist sees very well what is behind the masks!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/a-government-which-is-not-liked-by-the-artists-is-certainly-a-bad/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) [Browse all 80 Bad government quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-government/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A pure democracy is generally a very bad government, It is often the most tyrannical government on earth; for a multitude is often rash, and will not hear reason.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Noah Webster" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/a-pure-democracy-is-generally-a-very-bad-government-it-is-often-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bad government" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/a-pure-democracy-is-generally-a-very-bad-government-it-is-often-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/noah-webster-8440_bad-government_a-pure-democracy-is-generally-a-very-bad_2817896.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/noah-webster-8440_bad-government_a-pure-democracy-is-generally-a-very-bad_2817896.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/noah-webster-8440_bad-government_a-pure-democracy-is-generally-a-very-bad_2817896.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A pure democracy is generally a very bad government, It is often the most tyrannical government on earth…” — Noah Webster", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Noah Webster", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A pure democracy is generally a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/a-pure-democracy-is-generally-a-very-bad-government-it-is-often-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/a-pure-democracy-is-generally-a-very-bad-government-it-is-often-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```