--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the citizens neglect their duty and…" description: "\"If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted . . . . If a republican government fails..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/419/noah-webster-8440_administration_if-the-citizens-neglect-their-duty-and-p_1515038.jpg" --- # If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled… ![“If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted . . . . If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer…” quote by Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/419/noah-webster-8440_administration_if-the-citizens-neglect-their-duty-and-p_1515038.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/419/noah-webster-8440_administration_if-the-citizens-neglect-their-duty-and-p_1515038.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/419/noah-webster-8440_administration_if-the-citizens-neglect-their-duty-and-p_1515038.jpg) > “If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted . . . . If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.” [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. When citizens ignore their duties and elect corrupt leaders, the state deteriorates; civic responsibility is essential for good governance. **In simple terms:** Neglecting civic duty leads to corruption. Key Takeaway Engage responsibly in civic life. Themes civic duty government integrity responsibility Mood serious motivational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - elections - public policy debates - community activism - leadership selection Key Concepts political theory ethics social contract Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens hold leaders accountable? - What actions strengthen community responsibility? 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In case the government fails to follow the first one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/you-know-why-there-s-a-second-amendment-in-case-the-government-fails/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I wanted to repeat we cannot vote confidence at any point on a confidence motion in a government that fails to have a climate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/i-wanted-to-repeat-we-cannot-vote-confidence-at-any-point-on-a/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [Sectarian politics gets votes in Iraq. But sectarian government fails in Iraq.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/sectarian-politics-gets-votes-in-iraq-but-sectarian-government-fails/) [Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/) > [No government can be maintained without the principle of fear as well as duty. Good men will obey the last, but bad ones the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/no-government-can-be-maintained-without-the-principle-of-fear-as-well/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [That's the marvellous thing about seasteads; if a government fails, there's nothing much the people who live there can do about it. 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Education in a nation will propagate the religion of that nation. 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