Degenerates Quote by Thomas Jefferson
![“And where else will [Hume,] this degenerate son of science, this traitor to his fellow men, find the origin of just powers, if not in the majority of the society? Will it be in the minority? Or in an individual of that minority?” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/48f/thomas-jefferson-43_degenerates_and-where-else-will-hume-this-degenerate_2857809.jpg)
“And where else will [Hume,] this degenerate son of science, this traitor to his fellow men, find the origin of just powers, if not in the majority of the society? Will it be in the minority? Or in an individual of that minority?”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to James Madison, 1793
Jefferson questions that the legitimacy of authority must be rooted in the majority, not in a few individuals.
In simple terms: Authority should come from the people, not a minority.
Key Takeaway
Seek popular consent for power.
Themes
politics
authority
democracy
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legislative debates
- public policy formation
- citizen activism
Key Concepts
social contract
majority rule
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we ensure minority voices are heard?
- What safeguards protect against tyranny of the majority?
A Different Perspective
Minorities can still wield influence despite being outnumbered.
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
