--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To prevent evil is the great end of…" description: "\"To prevent evil is the great end of government, the end for which vigilance and severity are properly employed.\" — Samuel Johnson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13e/samuel-johnson-50_employed_to-prevent-evil-is-the-great-end-of-gove_856142.png" --- # To prevent evil is the great end of government, the end… ![“To prevent evil is the great end of government, the end for which vigilance and severity are properly employed.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13e/samuel-johnson-50_employed_to-prevent-evil-is-the-great-end-of-gove_856142.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13e/samuel-johnson-50_employed_to-prevent-evil-is-the-great-end-of-gove_856142.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13e/samuel-johnson-50_employed_to-prevent-evil-is-the-great-end-of-gove_856142.png) > “To prevent evil is the great end of government, the end for which vigilance and severity are properly employed.” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Government’s primary duty is to stop wrongdoing, requiring vigilant and strict enforcement. **In simple terms:** Government must stop evil with vigilance. Key Takeaway Balance vigilance with fairness. Themes government evil vigilance Mood thoughtful serious Type political ethical When to use this quote - law enforcement - policy making - public safety Key Concepts political philosophy justice Questions to Reflect On - How can vigilance avoid tyranny? - What safeguards protect liberty? A Different Perspective Over‑severity may suppress freedoms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Vigilance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vigilance/) ## Related quotes > [All severity that does not tend to increase good, or prevent evil, is idle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-severity-that-does-not-tend-to-increase-good-or-prevent-evil-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/justice-is-the-end-of-government-it-is-the-end-of-civil-society-it/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Say “no” only when it really matters. Wear a bright red shirt with bright orange shorts? Sure. 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