--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But as our forebears knew, and as we see…" description: "\"“But as our forebears knew, and as we see more all the time, when government takes on too much, it becomes too powerful. When the people rely upon it t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b79/patricia-reding-60704_family_but-as-our-forebears-knew-and-as-we-see_1535202.jpg" --- # But as our forebears knew, and as we see more all the… ![“But as our forebears knew, and as we see more all the time, when government takes on too much, it becomes too powerful. When the people rely upon it to do and to provide what they should do and provide for themselves, the sanctity of sanctuary and family suffer even more. It is like a spiral that…” quote by Patricia Reding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b79/patricia-reding-60704_family_but-as-our-forebears-knew-and-as-we-see_1535202.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b79/patricia-reding-60704_family_but-as-our-forebears-knew-and-as-we-see_1535202.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b79/patricia-reding-60704_family_but-as-our-forebears-knew-and-as-we-see_1535202.jpg) > ““But as our forebears knew, and as we see more all the time, when government takes on too much, it becomes too powerful. When the people rely upon it to do and to provide what they should do and provide for themselves, the sanctity of sanctuary and family suffer even more. It is like a spiral that continues to move downward, ever more quickly.”” [Patricia Reding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-reding/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When government overreaches, it erodes personal responsibility and harms family and sanctuary, creating a downward spiral of dependence. **In simple terms:** Too much government weakens families and personal freedom. Key Takeaway Limit government power to protect families. Themes government family responsibility dependence societal health Mood concerned reflective Type political social commentary When to use this quote - policy debates - community organizing - family counseling - civic education Key Concepts political theory social contract family dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance public services with personal responsibility? - What safeguards prevent governmental overreach? A Different Perspective Overly simplistic view of complex governance issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Powerful people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerful-people/) [Sanctuary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sanctuary/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [As the old saying goes, 'money is power' and the more money the government takes, the more power it has over individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-mcglowan/as-the-old-saying-goes-money-is-power-and-the-more-money-the/) Angela McGlowan > [Along this road of spending, the government either takes over, which is Socialism, or dictates institutional and economic life, which is Fascism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/along-this-road-of-spending-the-government-either-takes-over-which-is/) [Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/) > [When government takes away options, it is bound to make some people worse off, even with intrinsicallly good intentions behind that government intervention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/when-government-takes-away-options-it-is-bound-to-make-some-people/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [BUREAUCRACY You have two cows. 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Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-t-kiyosaki/) > [“In bad countries the government takes care of everyone. In the best ones that's not necessary!‏”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celso-cukierkorn/in-bad-countries-the-government-takes-care-of-everyone-in-the-best/) [Celso Cukierkorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celso-cukierkorn/) > [“In all times and in all places, whatever may be the name that the government takes, whatever has been its origin, or its organization,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/errico-malatesta/in-all-times-and-in-all-places-whatever-may-be-the-name-that-the/) [Errico Malatesta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/errico-malatesta/) > [Governments having failed the people, the people are entirely justified in assuming for themselves and essential role in government. Where a government takes proper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/governments-having-failed-the-people-the-people-are-entirely/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## More by Patricia Reding > [“The Good One chose me as the girls' Oathtaker, but he didn't provide me with the means to feed them!" Mara laughed. "What is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-reding/the-good-one-chose-me-as-the-girls-oathtaker-but-he-didn-t-provide-me/) [Patricia Reding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-reding/) > [“Let that be a lesson to you," chided Dixon. "Wanting or not wanting something to be so doesn't make is so--any more than repeating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-reding/let-that-be-a-lesson-to-you-chided-dixon-wanting-or-not-wanting/) [Patricia Reding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-reding/) > [“Mostly history, economics, and social issues.” Ted paused. “The Select who settled here sought above all, the freedom to serve Ehyeh. They also wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-reding/mostly-history-economics-and-social-issues-ted-paused-the-select-who/) [Patricia Reding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-reding/) > [“It was a good thing to do—to ask her to help you,” Ted offered. “Yes, but was it the right thing?” Ted had many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-reding/it-was-a-good-thing-to-do-to-ask-her-to-help-you-ted-offered-yes-but/) [Patricia Reding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-reding/) [Explore all 5 Patricia Reding quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-reding/) ## More Family quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. 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