--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Too many people expect wonders from…" description: "\"Too many people expect wonders from democracy, when the most wonderful thing of all is just having it.\" — Walter Winchell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7d/walter-winchell-20584_democracy_too-many-people-expect-wonders-from-demo_11115.png" --- # Too many people expect wonders from democracy, when the… ![“Too many people expect wonders from democracy, when the most wonderful thing of all is just having it.” quote by Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7d/walter-winchell-20584_democracy_too-many-people-expect-wonders-from-demo_11115.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7d/walter-winchell-20584_democracy_too-many-people-expect-wonders-from-demo_11115.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7d/walter-winchell-20584_democracy_too-many-people-expect-wonders-from-demo_11115.png) > “Too many people expect wonders from democracy, when the most wonderful thing of all is just having it.” [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Democracy's value lies in its existence, not in delivering extraordinary outcomes; people often overestimate its capacity for miracles. **In simple terms:** Democracy's worth is simply being present. Key Takeaway Appreciate democracy's basic existence. Themes politics philosophy civic engagement realism expectations Mood reflective thoughtful balanced Type aphilosophical political observational When to use this quote - voting - public policy debates - civic education - media commentary - community organizing Key Concepts government freedom citizen rights institutional stability Practical Applications - civic education curricula - public discourse on democratic expectations Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions do we hold about democracy's capabilities? - How can we foster realistic appreciation of democratic systems? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Wonderful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful/) [Wonders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonders/) ## Related quotes > [If the administration is going to be run according to the PM whims, one wonders if there is democracy left in the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uddhav-thackeray/if-the-administration-is-going-to-be-run-according-to-the-pm-whims/) [Uddhav Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uddhav-thackeray/) > [Wherever you have planted a seed, I am prepared to expect wonders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/wherever-you-have-planted-a-seed-i-am-prepared-to-expect-wonders/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-have-great-faith-in-a-seed-convince-me-that-you-have-a-seed-there/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [If I ever reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/if-i-ever-reach-heaven-i-expect-to-find-three-wonders-there-first-to/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [There is this idea of history as something you make, as a meaningful narrative with a beginning and an end, the end being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pankaj-mishra/there-is-this-idea-of-history-as-something-you-make-as-a-meaningful/) [Pankaj Mishra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pankaj-mishra/) > [A managed democracy is a wonderful thing... for the managers... and its greatest strength is a 'free press' when 'free' is defined as 'responsible'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/a-managed-democracy-is-a-wonderful-thing-for-the-managers-and-its/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [“A managed democracy is a wonderful thing, Manuel, for the managers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/a-managed-democracy-is-a-wonderful-thing-manuel-for-the-managers/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [The spread of democracy is a wonderful thing-it is a necessary foundation for peace-and it can happen. But it cannot be advanced by force,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-schell/the-spread-of-democracy-is-a-wonderful-thing-it-is-a-necessary/) [Jonathan Schell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-schell/) > [I am getting better at smiling when people expect it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-halse-anderson/i-am-getting-better-at-smiling-when-people-expect-it/) [Laurie Halse Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-halse-anderson/) > [People can expect to see a lot of me - I'm not too proud to stand on corners and hold my campaign signs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-wynn/people-can-expect-to-see-a-lot-of-me-i-m-not-too-proud-to-stand-on/) [Albert Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-wynn/) > [One of the things Kuhn said about normal science is that people 'expect' things to be discovered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hacking/one-of-the-things-kuhn-said-about-normal-science-is-that-people/) [Ian Hacking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hacking/) > [People expect not just songwriters but all personalities to pontificate about their egos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cass-mccombs/people-expect-not-just-songwriters-but-all-personalities-to/) [Cass McCombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cass-mccombs/) > [It is sometimes said that because of our past we, as a people, expect too much and set our sights too high. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/it-is-sometimes-said-that-because-of-our-past-we-as-a-people-expect/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [Many people expect, just as they did then, "those at the top" to make all their decisions for them: Please get us work, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wladyslaw-bartoszewski/many-people-expect-just-as-they-did-then-those-at-the-top-to-make-all/) [Wladyslaw Bartoszewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wladyslaw-bartoszewski/) > [People expect more and more every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-boosie/people-expect-more-and-more-every-time/) [Lil Boosie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-boosie/) ## More by Walter Winchell > [He (Alexander Woollcott) always praises the first production of each season, being reluctant to stone the first cast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/he-alexander-woollcott-always-praises-the-first-production-of-each/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [An optimist is someone who gets treed by a lion but enjoys the scenery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/an-optimist-is-someone-who-gets-treed-by-a-lion-but-enjoys-the-scenery/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [America - love it or leave it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/america-love-it-or-leave-it/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [Money sometimes makes fools of important persons, but it may also make important persons of fools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/money-sometimes-makes-fools-of-important-persons-but-it-may-also-make/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [The only ones who like Milton Berle are his mother - and the public.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/the-only-ones-who-like-milton-berle-are-his-mother-and-the-public/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [Nothing recedes like success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/nothing-recedes-like-success/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [Today's gossip is tomorrow's headline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/today-s-gossip-is-tomorrow-s-headline/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. America from border to border and coast to coast and all the ships at sea. Let's go to press.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/good-evening-mr-and-mrs-america-from-border-to-border-and-coast-to/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [We must not indulge in unfavorable views of mankind, since by doing it we make bad men believe they are no worse than others,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/we-must-not-indulge-in-unfavorable-views-of-mankind-since-by-doing-it/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [The same thing happened today that happened yesterday, only to different people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/the-same-thing-happened-today-that-happened-yesterday-only-to/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [I never lost a friend I wanted to keep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/i-never-lost-a-friend-i-wanted-to-keep/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [A certain columnist has been banned from all Shubert openings. Now he can wait three days and go to their closings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/a-certain-columnist-has-been-banned-from-all-shubert-openings-now-he/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [It's a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/it-s-a-sure-sign-of-summer-if-the-chair-gets-up-when-you-do/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [Hollywood is where they shoot too many pictures and not enough actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/hollywood-is-where-they-shoot-too-many-pictures-and-not-enough-actors/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) > [I usually get my stuff from people who promised somebody else that they would keep it a secret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-winchell/i-usually-get-my-stuff-from-people-who-promised-somebody-else-that/) [Walter Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) [Explore all 30 Walter Winchell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-winchell/) ## More Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [For not only every democracy, but certainly every republic, bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-not-only-every-democracy-but-certainly-every-republic-bears/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [ 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… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Failure to find a way to incorporate political Islam in democracy, however uncomfortable its ideology is for secular liberals, will mean we have given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/failure-to-find-a-way-to-incorporate-political-islam-in-democracy/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. 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