A good constitution is infinitely better than the best despot.
Interpretation
A well-structured system of government is far superior to the rule of a single tyrant.
Thomas B. Macaulay emphasizes the importance of a good constitution in governing a society. He suggests that a fair and just set of laws and principles is a more effective means of providing order and justice than relying on the arbitrary power of a despot, who may use their authority for self-serving purposes rather than the common good.
In practice
During a political debate, one might use this quote to argue for the importance of democratic institutions over authoritarian rule.
None of the modes by which a magistrate is appointed, popular election, the accident of the lot, or the accident of birth, affords, as far as we can perceive, much security for his being wiser than any of his neighbours. The chance of his being wiser than all his neighbours together is still smaller.
Your Constitution is all sail and no anchor.
I wish I was as sure of anything as he is of everything.
To punish a man because he has committed a crime, or because he is believed, though unjustly, to have committed a crime, is not persecution. To punish a man, because we infer from the nature of some doctrine which he holds, or from the conduct of other persons who hold the same doctrines with him, that he will commit a crime, is persecution, and is, in every case, foolish and wicked.
Mere negation, mere Epicurean infidelity, as Lord Bacon most justly observes, has never disturbed the peace of the world. It furnishes no motive for action; it inspires no enthusiasm; it has no missionaries, no crusades, no martyrs.
What a blessing it is to love books as I love them;- to be able to converse with the dead, and to live amidst the unreal!
A sincere and steadfast co-operation in promoting such a reconstruction of our political system as would provide for the permanent liberty and happiness of the United States.
Nobody should have any illusions. The United States has essentially a one-party system and the ruling party is the business party.
All through my life, I have never disguised my sentiments about politics in general.
In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith.
A man who is not interested in politics is not doing his patriotic duty toward maintaining the constitution of the United States.
Our American friends offer us money, arms, and advice. We take the money, we take the arms, and we decline the advice.
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