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When scrutiny is lacking, tyranny, corruption and man's baser qualities have a better chance of entering into the public business of any government.
Jacob K. Javits
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Without oversight, negative traits can dominate government actions.

This quote emphasizes the importance of scrutiny in governance. When there is a lack of oversight, it allows for tyranny, corruption, and the unfavorable aspects of human nature to seep into government functions, potentially leading to injustice and mismanagement of power. This highlights the necessity of accountability and vigilance in political systems to protect the public interest.

Themes

ScrutinyTyrannyCorruptionGovernmentOversight

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the importance of checks and balances in government during a civic engagement event.

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