Choice Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Choice by the people themselves is not generally distinguished for its wisdom.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Personal Correspondence, 1787
Popular decisions are often not the most prudent, reflecting collective bias over expertise.
In simple terms: People’s choices aren’t always wise.
Key Takeaway
Seek expertise over popular opinion.
Themes
democracy
wisdom
bias
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- voting
- policy making
- community projects
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
Collective decision‑making
expert knowledge
Questions to Reflect On
- When should expert advice outweigh popular will?
- How to balance democracy and expertise?
A Different Perspective
Majority rule can overlook minority insight.
![“[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)
