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We must judge of a form of government by it's general tendency, not by happy accidents
Thomas B. Macaulay
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The effectiveness of a government should be evaluated based on its overall impact rather than isolated fortunate events.

This quote by Thomas B. Macaulay emphasizes the importance of assessing a government's performance through its broader tendencies and outcomes, rather than being swayed by isolated positive incidents that may occur. It encourages a critical and long-term examination of governance, advocating for an understanding of its principles and philosophies that shape society, rather than relying on transient successes that may not reflect its true character.

Themes

GovernmentJudgmentTendencyEvaluationPhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

During a political debate, one might use this quote to argue that policies should be evaluated for their long-term effects rather than temporary successes.

More from Thomas B. Macaulay

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.
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Your Constitution is all sail and no anchor.
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I wish I was as sure of anything as he is of everything.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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