Association Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“An association of men who will not quarrel with one another is a thing which has never yet existed, from the greatest confederacy of nations down to a town meeting or a vestry.”
About This Quote
Source Writings: Letter to John Adams, 1785
Human cooperation without conflict is impossible; even large groups contain disagreements.
In simple terms: People always argue, even in groups.
Key Takeaway
Accept conflict as natural and manage it.
Themes
conflict
cooperation
politics
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government meetings
- community councils
- international alliances
Key Concepts
social dynamics
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we harness disagreement constructively?
- What mechanisms reduce unnecessary conflict?
A Different Perspective
Some conflicts are productive, not all are detrimental.
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