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The greatest task of democracy, its ritual and feast - is choice.
H. G. Wells
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The essence of democracy lies in the ability to make choices. It highlights the importance of choice as a fundamental aspect of democratic life.

H.G. Wells emphasizes that at the heart of democracy is the act of making choices. He describes this choice not just as a task but as a celebration, pointing to the idea that democracy is enriched by the diversity of options available to its citizens. The quote suggests that the opportunities to choose are what make democracy both a serious responsibility and a joyous occasion.

Themes

DemocracyChoiceFreedomResponsibilityParticipation

In practice

Example use cases

In a political speech about the importance of civic engagement, one might say, 'As H.G. Wells stated, the greatest task of democracy is choice.'

More from H. G. Wells

Nature never appeals to intelligence until habit and instinct are useless. There is no intelligence where there is no need of change.
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He spares no resource in telling of his dead inventions... Bare verbs he rarely tolerates. He splits infinitives and fills them up with adverbial stuffing. He presses the passing colloquialism into his service. His vast paragraphis sweat and struggle; the
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It [a new world order] needs only that the governments of Britain, the United States, France, Germany, and Russia should get together in order to set up an effective control of currency, credit, production, and distribution – that is to say, an effective ‘dictatorship of prosperity,’ for the whole world. The other sixty odd States would have to join in or accommodate themselves to the over-ruling decisions of these major Powers.
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Things that would have made fame of a less clever man seemed tricks in his hands. It is a mistake to do things too easily.
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But I was too restless to watch long; I'm too Occidental for a long vigil. I could work at a problem for years, but to wait inactive for twenty-four hours - that's another matter.
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I came out for exercise, gentle exercise, and to notice the scenery and to botanise. And no sooner do I get on that accursed machine than off I go hammer and tongs; I never look to right or left, never notice a flower, never see a view - get hot, juicy, red - like a grilled chop. Get me on that machine and I have to go. I go scorching along the road, and cursing aloud at myself for doing it.
H. G. WellsRead

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