Cities Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to James Madison, 1798
Urban density can amplify moral decay, suggesting that crowded societies risk corruption similar to historical examples.
In simple terms: Crowded cities may foster corruption.
Key Takeaway
Consider the impact of environment on ethics.
Themes
society
urbanism
politics
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- city planning
- government policy
- community building
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
Political theory
Sociology
Questions to Reflect On
- Can urban design reduce corruption?
- What safeguards protect integrity in dense societies?
A Different Perspective
Corruption also depends on governance, not just population density.
![“I think the book [Straight to the Heart: Political Cantos] has meaning for any large city with urban problems. There are political machines in a lot of large cities, and everywhere the goals of society get lost.” quote by Angela Alioto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/030/angela-alioto-29373_book_i-think-the-book-straight-to-the-heart-p_71822.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)
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
