Our greatest leaders are neither dreamers nor dictators: They are, like Jefferson, those who articulate national aspirations yet master the mechanics of influence and know when to depart from dogma.
Jon MeachamRead
The bringing-about of order is the first and fundamental task of government. We accept limits on our rights for the sake of a larger social compact all the time.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Government's primary role is to establish order in society, often requiring individuals to accept certain limitations on their freedoms.
In this quote, Jon Meacham emphasizes the essential role of government in maintaining order, suggesting that individuals collectively agree to certain restrictions on their rights to ensure a stable and functioning society. This concept of a 'social compact' underscores the balance between individual liberties and the responsibilities of governmental authority to protect the common good.
Themes
GovernmentOrderRightsSocial CompactSociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about the new laws passed, you might say, 'As Jon Meacham pointed out, the bringing-about of order is the first and fundamental task of government.'
More from Jon Meacham
All quotes βIt would be wonderful if the public sector were always great, or always terrible; or if the private sector were always great, or always terrible. Alas, reality is more complicated than comforting caricatures. Governments fail, and corporations fail.
Jon MeachamRead
As crucial as religion has been and is to the life of the nation, America's unifying force has never been a specific faith, but a commitment to freedom - not least freedom of conscience.
Jon MeachamRead
The perennial conviction that those who work hard and play by the rules will be rewarded with a more comfortable present and a stronger future for their children faces assault from just about every direction. That great enemy of democratic capitalism, economic inequality, is real and growing.
Jon MeachamRead
A wise nation should cultivate a political spirit that allows opponents to cooperate without fearing an automatic execution from their core supporters. Who knew that the real rogues in American politics would be the ones who dare to get along?
Jon MeachamRead
One of the earliest resurrection scenes in the Bible is that of Thomas demanding evidence - he wanted to see, to touch, to prove. Those who question and probe and debate are heirs of the apostles just as much as the most fervent of believers.
Jon MeachamRead
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The political machine triumphs because it is a united minority acting against a divided majority.
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The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative the day after the revolution.
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People constantly speak of 'the government' doing this or that, as they might speak of God doing it. But the government is really nothing but a group of men, and usually they are very inferior men. They may have some better man working for them, but they themselves are seldom worthy of any respect.
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Dictators fall when they're overconfident; they stay in power when they're paranoid.
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