Administration Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“The people, especially when moderately instructed, are the only safe, because the only honest, depositaries of the public rights, and should therefore be introduced into the administration of them in every function to which they are sufficient; they will err sometimes and accidentally, but never designedly, and with a systematic and persevering purpose of overthrowing the free principles of the government.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: 1795, to James Madison
People, when modestly guided, can safely manage public affairs, though they may err unintentionally, not maliciously.
In simple terms: Ordinary people can govern if properly instructed.
Key Takeaway
Promote informed citizen participation.
Themes
democracy
citizen participation
government
trust
Mood
optimistic
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- elections
- public forums
- community councils
Key Concepts
representative government
public oversight
civic education
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards prevent accidental errors in popular governance?
- How to educate citizens without imposing elite bias?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may overlook elite expertise.
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![“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)
