--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the righteous rule, the people…" description: "\"When the righteous rule, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.\" — William Paterson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/080/william-paterson-60209_civil-society_when-the-righteous-rule-the-people-rejoi_2412378.png" --- # When the righteous rule, the people rejoice; when the… ![“When the righteous rule, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” quote by William Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/080/william-paterson-60209_civil-society_when-the-righteous-rule-the-people-rejoi_2412378.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/080/william-paterson-60209_civil-society_when-the-righteous-rule-the-people-rejoi_2412378.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/080/william-paterson-60209_civil-society_when-the-righteous-rule-the-people-rejoi_2412378.png) > “When the righteous rule, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” [William Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-paterson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Good governance brings joy; bad governance causes suffering among the people. **In simple terms:** Righteous rule pleases, wicked rule pains. Key Takeaway Support just leadership. Themes politics justice leadership Mood serious concerned Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - elections - policy debates - community meetings Key Concepts Political philosophy ethics Questions to Reflect On - What defines a righteous ruler? - How can citizens respond to wicked rule? A Different Perspective Power can be abused even with good intentions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civil society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-society/) [Human nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-nature/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Regulation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regulation/) [Righteous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/righteous/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) [Voting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voting/) ## Related quotes > [It's a great comfort to some people to groan over their imaginary ills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/it-s-a-great-comfort-to-some-people-to-groan-over-their-imaginary-ills/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) > [“We must submit to God's righteous rule.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/we-must-submit-to-god-s-righteous-rule/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [The self-righteous rule out the possibility that they are what has gone wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-self-righteous-rule-out-the-possibility-that-they-are-what-has/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Given the chance to throw off a brutal dictator like Saddam Hussein, people will rejoice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-fleischer/given-the-chance-to-throw-off-a-brutal-dictator-like-saddam-hussein/) [Ari Fleischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-fleischer/) > [God delights to see His people rejoice in what He has provided.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-anders/god-delights-to-see-his-people-rejoice-in-what-he-has-provided/) [Max Anders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-anders/) > [“Will you not revive us again,         that your people may rejoice in you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crossway/will-you-not-revive-us-again-that-your-people-may-rejoice-in-you-2/) Crossway > [“See, that’s the tragedy of the human condition. 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