--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a democracy only will the freeman of…" description: "\"In a democracy only will the freeman of nature design to dwell.\" — Plato" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/plato-103_democracy_in-a-democracy-only-will-the-freeman-of_2981231.jpg" --- # In a democracy only will the freeman of nature design to… ![“In a democracy only will the freeman of nature design to dwell.” quote by Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/plato-103_democracy_in-a-democracy-only-will-the-freeman-of_2981231.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/plato-103_democracy_in-a-democracy-only-will-the-freeman-of_2981231.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/plato-103_democracy_in-a-democracy-only-will-the-freeman-of_2981231.jpg) > “In a democracy only will the freeman of nature design to dwell.” [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In a democracy, only free individuals who act rationally can shape society. **In simple terms:** Free rational people shape democracy. Key Takeaway Encourage rational participation. Themes democracy freedom responsibility Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical political When to use this quote - voting - public policy - community organizing Key Concepts political philosophy citizen agency Questions to Reflect On - How can rational discourse be fostered? - What limits do emotions place on democratic decisions? A Different Perspective Democracy also depends on institutions, not just individuals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [Freedom in a democracy is the glory of the state, and, therefore, in a democracy only will the freeman of nature deign to dwell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/freedom-in-a-democracy-is-the-glory-of-the-state-and-therefore-in-a/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [The nature of design is to synthesize disparate perspectives and create a richer end product through collaboration and iteration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-martin-skibsted/the-nature-of-design-is-to-synthesize-disparate-perspectives-and/) [Jens Martin Skibsted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-martin-skibsted/) > [I think of what I do as copying nature's design process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-arnold/i-think-of-what-i-do-as-copying-nature-s-design-process/) [Frances Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-arnold/) > [“David W. Orr writes, in The Nature of Design, “We are losing the capacity to say what we really mean and ultimately to think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-cousineau/david-w-orr-writes-in-the-nature-of-design-we-are-losing-the-capacity/) [Phil Cousineau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-cousineau/) > [That makes me think, my friend, as I have often done before, how natural it is that those who have spent a long time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/that-makes-me-think-my-friend-as-i-have-often-done-before-how-natural/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [I rejoice in a belief that intellectual light will spring up in the dark corners of the earth; that freedom of enquiry will produce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/i-rejoice-in-a-belief-that-intellectual-light-will-spring-up-in-the/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Martin Freeman is a genius, he really is. He gives you every color of the rainbow in every take and it's wonderful just to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-pulver/martin-freeman-is-a-genius-he-really-is-he-gives-you-every-color-of/) [Lara Pulver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-pulver/) > [ The tenets of \[the Christian life\] seem paradoxes to carnal men; as first, that a Christian is the only freeman, and other men are… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/the-tenets-of-the-christian-life-seem-paradoxes-to-carnal-men-as/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [My mind is pretty made up that life for Cathy Freeman will be as an unmarried woman from now on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/my-mind-is-pretty-made-up-that-life-for-cathy-freeman-will-be-as-an/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [What freemanery actually is - it is not being a freeloader, it is not saying I do not want to be a contributing member…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-menard/what-freemanery-actually-is-it-is-not-being-a-freeloader-it-is-not/) Robert Menard > [“A port arrival makes you feel so free ...To realize what it is to be a free man, with a world before him;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barnaby-allen/a-port-arrival-makes-you-feel-so-free-to-realize-what-it-is-to-be-a/) Barnaby Allen > [Individuality is the aim of political liberty. By leaving to the citizen as much freedom of action and of being as comports with order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-f-cooper/individuality-is-the-aim-of-political-liberty-by-leaving-to-the/) [James F. Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-f-cooper/) > [“Michael Freeman was thirty-five years old – a former Special Forces soldier turned policeman. He was a tall and slim black man, with grey-flecked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-conway/michael-freeman-was-thirty-five-years-old-a-former-special-forces/) Simon Conway > [the twelve or fifteen millions in the British Empire, who, while they possess no electoral rights, are yet persuaded they are freemen, and who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cobden/the-twelve-or-fifteen-millions-in-the-british-empire-who-while-they/) [Richard Cobden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cobden/) > [Morgan Freeman is so class. He's so cool. He's so scary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/morgan-freeman-is-so-class-he-s-so-cool-he-s-so-scary/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) ## More by Plato > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [You may be sure, dear Crito, that inaccurate language is not only in itself a mistake: it implants evil in men's souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-may-be-sure-dear-crito-that-inaccurate-language-is-not-only-in/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“If men learn this, it will implant forgetfulness in their souls; they will cease to exercise memory because they rely on that which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/if-men-learn-this-it-will-implant-forgetfulness-in-their-souls-they/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/knowledge-which-is-acquired-under-compulsion-obtains-no-hold-on-the/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [I do not think it is permitted that a better man be harmed by a worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/i-do-not-think-it-is-permitted-that-a-better-man-be-harmed-by-a-worse/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Any city, however small, is in fact divided into two, one the city of the poor, the other of the rich; these are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/any-city-however-small-is-in-fact-divided-into-two-one-the-city-of/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-as-nobody-may-believe-them/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“The love of man to woman is a thing common and of course, and at first partakes more of instinct and passion than of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/the-love-of-man-to-woman-is-a-thing-common-and-of-course-and-at-first/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Strange times are these in which we live when old and young are taught in falsehood's school, and the one man that dares to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/strange-times-are-these-in-which-we-live-when-old-and-young-are/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“He was a wise man who invented God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/he-was-a-wise-man-who-invented-god/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [For let me tell you, that the more the pleasures of the body fade away, the greater to me is the pleasure and charm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/for-let-me-tell-you-that-the-more-the-pleasures-of-the-body-fade-away/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“What shall we say about those spectators, then, who can see a plurality of beautiful things, but not beauty itself, and who are incapable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/what-shall-we-say-about-those-spectators-then-who-can-see-a-plurality/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Geometry existed before creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/geometry-existed-before-creation/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [When men speak ill of thee, live so that nobody will believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-that-nobody-will-believe-them/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [We must, if we are to be consistent, and if we re to have a real pedigree herd, mate the best of our men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/we-must-if-we-are-to-be-consistent-and-if-we-re-to-have-a-real/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) [Explore all 1,278 Plato quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## More Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [For not only every democracy, but certainly every republic, bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-not-only-every-democracy-but-certainly-every-republic-bears/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Failure to find a way to incorporate political Islam in democracy, however uncomfortable its ideology is for secular liberals, will mean we have given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/failure-to-find-a-way-to-incorporate-political-islam-in-democracy/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) > [“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/all-voting-is-a-sort-of-gaming-like-checkers-or-back-gammon-with-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Browse all 11,220 Democracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In a democracy only will the freeman of nature design to dwell.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plato" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/in-a-democracy-only-will-the-freeman-of-nature-design-to-dwell/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Democracy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/in-a-democracy-only-will-the-freeman-of-nature-design-to-dwell/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/plato-103_democracy_in-a-democracy-only-will-the-freeman-of_2981231.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/plato-103_democracy_in-a-democracy-only-will-the-freeman-of_2981231.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/plato-103_democracy_in-a-democracy-only-will-the-freeman-of_2981231.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In a democracy only will the freeman of nature design to dwell.” — Plato", "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": "Plato", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In a democracy only will the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/in-a-democracy-only-will-the-freeman-of-nature-design-to-dwell/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/in-a-democracy-only-will-the-freeman-of-nature-design-to-dwell/#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 } } ] } ```