Believe Quote by Thomas Jefferson
![“It is a problem, not clear in my mind, that [a society without government, as among our Indians] is not the best. But I believe it to be inconsistent with any great degree of population.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a02/thomas-jefferson-43_believe_it-is-a-problem-not-clear-in-my-mind-tha_1271770.jpg)
“It is a problem, not clear in my mind, that [a society without government, as among our Indians] is not the best. But I believe it to be inconsistent with any great degree of population.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Correspondence on governance, 1785
A society without government may seem ideal but is impractical for large populations, as it lacks order and coordination.
In simple terms: No government can't sustain big populations.
Key Takeaway
Consider the balance between liberty and governance.
Themes
government
society
population
order
liberty
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- public policy
- community organization
Key Concepts
social contract
anarchy
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What minimal governance could support a large community?
- Can voluntary cooperation replace formal institutions?
A Different Perspective
Large societies need some structure to manage resources and conflicts.
![“[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)
