Democracy Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“It is my principle that the will of the majority should always prevail.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to James Madison, 1787
The majority's will should be the guiding principle for collective decisions.
In simple terms: Majority rule should guide decisions.
Key Takeaway
Respect majority opinion.
Themes
politics
democracy
governance
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- elections
- legislative voting
- public referenda
Key Concepts
majority rule
consensus
legitimacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How protect minority rights?
- When should majority rule be limited?
A Different Perspective
Minorities may be overlooked.
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![“[Proportional representation is a] device for defeating democracy, the principle of which was that the majority should rule, and for bringing faddists of all kinds into Parliament, and establishing groups and disintegrating parties.” quote by David Lloyd George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/101/david-lloyd-george-9272_all-kinds_proportional-representation-is-a-device_1563390.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)
![“Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This [presidential] election is about every man, woman and child in our country who deserves to live in safety, prosperity and peace, so true.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/18e/donald-trump-18_children_vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-se_1553.jpg)
