Acquiesce Quote by Thomas Jefferson
![“Though [the people] may acquiesce, they cannot approve what they do not understand.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/02f/thomas-jefferson-43_may_though-the-people-may-acquiesce-they-can_1837065.jpg)
“Though [the people] may acquiesce, they cannot approve what they do not understand.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Letter to James Madison, 1787
People may accept policies without understanding, leading to blind approval.
In simple terms: Blind approval without understanding.
Key Takeaway
Seek informed consent.
Themes
politics
knowledge
consent
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting
- public policy debates
- community meetings
Key Concepts
democracy
civic engagement
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we improve public understanding?
- What role does education play?
A Different Perspective
Understanding may be limited by complexity.
![“[They] agreed that it was neither possible nor necessary to educate people who never questioned anything.” quote by Joseph Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fe1/joseph-heller-601_educate_they-agreed-that-it-was-neither-possible_2594559.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)
