The first lesson in civics is that efficient government begins at home.
Charles Evans HughesRead
While democracy must have its organization and controls, its vital breath is individual liberty.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Democracy relies on organization and rules, but individual freedom is its core essence.
This quote emphasizes the importance of individual liberty within a democratic system. While structure and regulations are necessary for democracy to function effectively, the true spirit and life of democracy are rooted in the freedom and rights of each individual, highlighting that without personal liberties, democracy loses its meaning and purpose.
Themes
DemocracyLibertyIndividualityFreedomRights
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about civic responsibility, one might say, 'While democracy must have its organization and controls, its vital breath is individual liberty.'
More from Charles Evans Hughes
All quotes βDissents are appeals to the brooding spirit of the law, to the intelligence of another day.
Charles Evans HughesRead
While democracy must have its organizations and controls, its vital breath is individual liberty.
Charles Evans HughesRead
The peril of this Nation is not in any foreign foe! We, the people, are its power, its peril, and its hope.
Charles Evans HughesRead
Every young man should aim at independence and should prepare himself for a vocation; above all, he should so manage his life that the steps of his progress are taken without improper aids; that he calls no one master, that he does not win or deserve the reputation of being a tool of others, and that if called to public service he may assume its duties with the satisfaction of knowing that he is free to rise to the height of his opportunity.
Charles Evans HughesRead
It is the essence of the institutions of liberty that it be recognized that guilt is personal and cannot be attributed to the holding of opinions or to mere intent in the absence of overt acts.
Charles Evans HughesRead
Similar quotes
The rules and reasons the political system employs to enforce status relations of any kind, including racial hierarchy, evolve and change as they are challenged.
Michelle AlexanderRead
Terrorism constitutes a direct attack on the values the UN stands for: the rule of law; the protection of civilians; peaceful resolution of conflicts; and mutual respect between people of different faiths and cultures.
Kofi AnnanRead
Freedom of expression - in particular, freedom of the press - guarantees popular participation in the decisions and actions of government, and popular participation is the essence of our democracy.
Corazon AquinoRead
Democracy is four wolves and a sheep voting on dinner.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Well, we see an increasingly weaker labor movement as a result of the overall assault on the labor movement and as a result of the globalization of capital.
Angela DavisRead
According to Lenin, socialism and democracy are indivisible.... The essence of perestroika lies in the fact that it unites socialism with democracy and revives the Leninist concept of socialist construction both in theory and in practice. We want more socialism and, therefore, more democracy.
Mikhail GorbachevRead