The brave man, inattentive to his duty, is worth little more to his country than the coward who deserts her in the hour of danger.
Andrew JacksonRead
There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Government is not inherently evil; rather, its wrongs arise from how it is misused.
Andrew Jackson's quote emphasizes that the concept of 'necessary evils' in government is a misconception. He suggests that the problems associated with government are not intrinsic to it but are the result of the way individuals or groups misuse power and authority, highlighting the importance of accountability and integrity in governance.
Themes
GovernmentAbusePowerCorruptionAccountability
In practice
Example use cases
During a political rally emphasizing the importance of accountable governance.
More from Andrew Jackson
All quotes βThe planter, the farmer, the mechanic, and the laborer...form the great body of the people of the United States they are the bone and sinew of the country men who love liberty and desire nothing but equal rights and equal laws.
Andrew JacksonRead
There never was a woman like her. She was gentle as a dove and brave as a lioness... The memory of my mother and her teachings were, after all, the only capital I had to start life with, and on that capital I have made my way.
Andrew JacksonRead
The great constitutional corrective in the hands of the people against usurpation of power, or corruption by their agents is the right of suffrage; and this when used with calmness and deliberation will prove strong enough.
Andrew JacksonRead
I feel in the depths of my soul that it is the highest, most sacred, and most irreversible part of my obligation to preserve the union of these states, although it may cost me my life.
Andrew JacksonRead
When death comes, he respects neither age nor merit. He sweeps from the earthly existence the sick and the strong, the rich and the poor, and should teach us to live to be prepared for death.
Andrew JacksonRead
Similar quotes
Today we voted as Democrats and Republicans. Tomorrow we begin again as New Yorkers.
Hillary ClintonRead
A man who is not interested in politics is not doing his patriotic duty toward maintaining the constitution of the United States.
Harry S. TrumanRead
Nicaragua dealt with the problem of terrorism in exactly the right way. It followed international law and treaty obligations. It collected evidence, brought the evidence to the highest existing tribunal, the International Court of Justice, and received a verdict - which, of course, the U.S. dismissed with contempt.
Noam ChomskyRead
When a new source of taxation is found it never means, in practice, that the old source is abandoned. It merely means that the politicians have two ways of milking the taxpayer where they had one before.
H. L. MenckenRead
The massive, frustrated energies of a mainly young, disillusioned electorate that has long since abandoned the idea that we all have a duty to vote. This is like being told you have a duty to buy a new car, but you have to choose immediately between a Ford and a Chevy.
Hunter S. ThompsonRead
I doubt very much if a man whose main literary interests were in works by Mr. Zane Grey, admirable as they may be, is particularly equipped to be the chief executive of this country, particularly where Indian Affairs are concerned.
Dean AchesonRead