Approved Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“If the measures which have been pursued are approved by the majority, it is the duty of the minority to acquiesce and conform.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Correspondence with James Madison, 1795
When the majority supports a measure, the minority should accept the decision and adapt rather than resist.
In simple terms: Minority should conform to majority rule.
Key Takeaway
Respect democratic outcomes.
Themes
democracy
minority rights
conformity
Mood
analytical
serious
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- Corporate decisions
- community governance
- legislative voting
Key Concepts
Social contract
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- When is dissent necessary?
- How to balance majority rule with minority voices?
A Different Perspective
Blind conformity can suppress valuable dissent.
![“You have not been mistaken in supposing my views and feeling to be in favor of the abolition of war. Of my dispos[i]tion to maintain peace until its condition shall be made less tolerable than that of war itself, the world has had proofs, and more, perhaps, than it has approved. I hope it is…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/77f/thomas-jefferson-43_abolition_you-have-not-been-mistaken-in-supposing_184816.jpg)
![“[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)
