Accidents Quote by Thomas B. Macaulay
“None of the modes by which a magistrate is appointed, popular election, the accident of the lot, or the accident of birth, affords, as far as we can perceive, much security for his being wiser than any of his neighbours. The chance of his being wiser than all his neighbours together is still smaller.”
About This Quote
The method of selecting judges—whether by vote, lottery, or inheritance—offers little guarantee that they will be more intelligent than the average citizen, let alone collectively wiser than the whole community.
In simple terms: Selection methods lack assurance of superior wisdom.
Key Takeaway
No appointment system ensures wiser judges.
Themes
politics
governance
human nature
decision-making
meritocracy
Mood
skeptical
critical
analytical
Type
aphilosophical
political
observational
When to use this quote
- judicial reform debates
- constitutional design discussions
- public policy analysis
- civic education
- political philosophy lectures
Key Concepts
appointment
wisdom
randomness
election
Practical Applications
- designing merit‑based selection processes
- evaluating existing appointment systems
Questions to Reflect On
- How might we improve the criteria for choosing judges?
- Does collective wisdom outweigh individual expertise in governance?
