--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Governments are not built to perceive…" description: "\"Governments are not built to perceive large truths. Only people can perceive great truths. Governments specialize in small and intermediate truths. The..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96a/norman-cousins-2488_built_governments-are-not-built-to-perceive-la_2654142.png" --- # Governments are not built to perceive large truths. Only… ![“Governments are not built to perceive large truths. Only people can perceive great truths. Governments specialize in small and intermediate truths. They have to be instructed by their people in great truths.” quote by Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96a/norman-cousins-2488_built_governments-are-not-built-to-perceive-la_2654142.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96a/norman-cousins-2488_built_governments-are-not-built-to-perceive-la_2654142.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96a/norman-cousins-2488_built_governments-are-not-built-to-perceive-la_2654142.png) > “Governments are not built to perceive large truths. Only people can perceive great truths. Governments specialize in small and intermediate truths. They have to be instructed by their people in great truths.” [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Governments focus on limited truths, while individuals can grasp greater truths; thus, people must guide governments toward broader understanding. **In simple terms:** People see big truths; governments see small ones. Key Takeaway Educate and influence public policy. Themes politics knowledge leadership Mood determined optimistic Type activist thought‑provoking When to use this quote - public debates - education reform - community organizing Key Concepts philosophy civic engagement Questions to Reflect On - What mechanisms ensure people’s truths shape policy? - How can individuals amplify great truths? A Different Perspective Governments may resist change despite public pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Built](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/built/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governments/) [Governments Specialize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governments-specialize-2373997/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Large Truths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/large-truths-2373998/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Perceive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perceive/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truths Governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truths-governments-2373996/) [Truths People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truths-people-326951/) ## Related quotes > [Genius, the Pythian of the beautiful, leaves its large truths a riddle to the dull.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/genius-the-pythian-of-the-beautiful-leaves-its-large-truths-a-riddle/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [When you're older, you realize a little bit more hard truths. 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The private sector is perceived as being so much more efficient,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/the-governments-are-seen-to-be-less-effective-than-they-used-to-be/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [If we do not adhere firmly to the constitution, our governments will not last long and will change frequently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suharto/if-we-do-not-adhere-firmly-to-the-constitution-our-governments-will/) [Suharto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suharto/) > [Governments regard their own citizens as their main enemy, and they have to be - protect themselves. That's why you have state secret laws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/governments-regard-their-own-citizens-as-their-main-enemy-and-they/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. 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Even to speculate is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-poet-reminds-men-of-their-uniqueness-and-it-is-not-necessary-to/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [Unobstructed access to facts can produce unlimited good only if it is matched by the desire and ability to find out what they mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/unobstructed-access-to-facts-can-produce-unlimited-good-only-if-it-is/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [What was significant about the laughter . . . was not just the fact that it provides internal exercise for a person . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/what-was-significant-about-the-laughter-was-not-just-the-fact-that-it/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [You are younger today than you will ever be again. Make use of it for the sake of tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/you-are-younger-today-than-you-will-ever-be-again-make-use-of-it-for/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [On the quality of life: #1. Realize that each human being has a built-in capacity for recuperation and repair. #2. 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Failure is simply a price we pay to achieve success. If we learn to embrace that new definition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-essence-of-man-is-imperfection-failure-is-simply-a-price-we-pay/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [My reason nourishes my faith and my faith my reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/my-reason-nourishes-my-faith-and-my-faith-my-reason/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [The growth of the human mind is still high adventure, in many ways the highest adventure on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-growth-of-the-human-mind-is-still-high-adventure-in-many-ways-the/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [Death is not the enemy; living in constant fear of it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/death-is-not-the-enemy-living-in-constant-fear-of-it-is/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [All this sensory input, which begins in the brain, has its effect throughout the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/all-this-sensory-input-which-begins-in-the-brain-has-its-effect/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [Humanity today is not safe in the presence of humanity. 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