--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once one accepts the premise of the…" description: "\"Once one accepts the premise of the Declaration of Independence - that governments derive \"their just powers from the consent of the governed\" - it fol..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/148/thomas-i-emerson-53459_accepting_once-one-accepts-the-premise-of-the-decl_3122096.jpg" --- # Once one accepts the premise of the Declaration of… ![“Once one accepts the premise of the Declaration of Independence - that governments derive "their just powers from the consent of the governed" - it follows that the governed must, in order to exercise their right of consent, have full freedom of expression.” quote by Thomas I. Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/148/thomas-i-emerson-53459_accepting_once-one-accepts-the-premise-of-the-decl_3122096.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/148/thomas-i-emerson-53459_accepting_once-one-accepts-the-premise-of-the-decl_3122096.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/148/thomas-i-emerson-53459_accepting_once-one-accepts-the-premise-of-the-decl_3122096.jpg) > “Once one accepts the premise of the Declaration of Independence - that governments derive "their just powers from the consent of the governed" - it follows that the governed must, in order to exercise their right of consent, have full freedom of expression.” [Thomas I. Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-i-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If governments are legitimated by the consent of the governed, then citizens must have unrestricted free speech to give that consent. **In simple terms:** Free speech is essential for democratic consent. Key Takeaway Protect free expression to ensure legitimate governance. Themes democracy free speech political legitimacy rights Mood critical analytical Type political ethical When to use this quote - voting - public debate - media - activism Key Concepts social contract theory civil liberties Questions to Reflect On - How do we protect speech while preventing harm? - What limits, if any, are acceptable? A Different Perspective Balancing free speech with hate speech concerns can be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Consent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consent/) [Consent of the governed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consent-of-the-governed/) [Declaration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration/) [Declaration of independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration-of-independence/) [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom of expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-expression/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) ## Related quotes > [“Governments derive their just power from the consent of the governed”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/governments-derive-their-just-power-from-the-consent-of-the-governed/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [Our nation is built on the bedrock principle that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-cronauer/our-nation-is-built-on-the-bedrock-principle-that-governments-derive/) [Adrian Cronauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-cronauer/) > [“governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-of-independence/governments-are-instituted-among-men-deriving-their-just-powers-from/) Declaration of Independence > [“above all, Locke’s transforming idea that government was established and maintained by the consent of the governed, in which all men had an equal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-macgregor-burns/above-all-locke-s-transforming-idea-that-government-was-established/) [James MacGregor Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-macgregor-burns/) > [Democratic government requires the consent of the governed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/democratic-government-requires-the-consent-of-the-governed/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [“The authority of government, even such as I am willing to submit to— for I will cheerfully obey those who know and can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-authority-of-government-even-such-as-i-am-willing-to-submit-to/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Even government by the consent of the governed, as in our own Constitution, must be limited in its power to act against its people;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/even-government-by-the-consent-of-the-governed-as-in-our-own/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Government itself is founded upon the great doctrine of the consent of the governed, and has its cornerstone in the memorable principle that men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leland-stanford/government-itself-is-founded-upon-the-great-doctrine-of-the-consent/) [Leland Stanford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leland-stanford/) > [Two hundred years ago, our Founding Fathers gave us a democracy. It was based upon the simple, yet noble, idea that government derives its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tsongas/two-hundred-years-ago-our-founding-fathers-gave-us-a-democracy-it-was/) [Paul Tsongas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tsongas/) > ["All men are created equal." "Government by consent of the governed." "Give me liberty or give me death." And those are not just clever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/all-men-are-created-equal-government-by-consent-of-the-governed-give/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [Governments rest on the consent of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to alter or abolish them at will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jefferson-davis/governments-rest-on-the-consent-of-the-governed-and-that-it-is-the/) [Jefferson Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jefferson-davis/) > [The consent of the governed" is more than a safeguard against ignorant tyrants: it is an insurance against benevolent despots as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-consent-of-the-governed-is-more-than-a-safeguard-against-ignorant/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Even the most despotic government cannot stand except for the consent of the governed… Immediately the subject ceases to fear the despotic force, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/even-the-most-despotic-government-cannot-stand-except-for-the-consent/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [The public needs to know the kinds of things a government does in its name, or the 'consent of the governed' is meaningless... The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/the-public-needs-to-know-the-kinds-of-things-a-government-does-in-its/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [“Fortunately, there was government by consent of the governed in America—but just as unfortunately, such governments dearly hate to admit a mistake.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-fehrenbach/fortunately-there-was-government-by-consent-of-the-governed-in/) [T. R. Fehrenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-fehrenbach/) ## More by Thomas I. Emerson > [The right to freedom of expression is justified first of all as the right of an individual purely in his capacity as an individual.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-i-emerson/the-right-to-freedom-of-expression-is-justified-first-of-all-as-the/) [Thomas I. Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-i-emerson/) > [The Right of all members of society to form their own beliefs and communicate them freely to others must be regarded as an essential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-i-emerson/the-right-of-all-members-of-society-to-form-their-own-beliefs-and/) [Thomas I. Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-i-emerson/) > [It is frequently said that speech that is intentionally provocative and therefore invites physical retaliation can be punished or suppressed. Yet, plainly no such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-i-emerson/it-is-frequently-said-that-speech-that-is-intentionally-provocative/) [Thomas I. Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-i-emerson/) > [The function of the censor is to censor. He has a professional interest in finding things to suppress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-i-emerson/the-function-of-the-censor-is-to-censor-he-has-a-professional/) [Thomas I. Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-i-emerson/) > [Suppression of expression conceals the real problems confronting a society and diverts public attention from the critical issues. It is likely to result in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-i-emerson/suppression-of-expression-conceals-the-real-problems-confronting-a/) [Thomas I. Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-i-emerson/) [Explore all 6 Thomas I. Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-i-emerson/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Once one accepts the premise of the Declaration of Independence - that governments derive \"their just powers from the consent of the governed\" - it follows that the governed must, in order to exercise their right of consent, have full freedom of expression.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas I. 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