Alarms Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“The late rebellion in Massachusetts has given more alarm than I think it should have done. Calculate that one rebellion in thirteen states in the course of eleven years, is but one for each state in a century and a half. No country should be so long without one. Nor will any degree of power in the hands of government prevent insurrections.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to James Madison, 1799
Frequent small rebellions indicate a healthy political system and prevent long-term tyranny.
In simple terms: Rebellions keep government in check.
Key Takeaway
Accept occasional dissent as a safeguard.
Themes
politics
government
rebellion
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- citizenship
- public discourse
- government policy
- civil unrest
Key Concepts
social contract
checks and balances
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance order and dissent?
- What mechanisms prevent rebellion from becoming chaos?
A Different Perspective
Too many rebellions can destabilize society.
![“Thirteen states with a population less than that of New York State alone can prevent repeal [of prohibition] until Halley's comet returns. One might as well talk about a summer vacation on Mars.” quote by Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/28f/clarence-darrow-1714_comets_thirteen-states-with-a-population-less-t_426370.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)
