QuoteProject
I deplore the need or the use of troops anywhere to get American citizens to obey the orders of constituted courts.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Eisenhower criticizes the use of military force to enforce court orders on citizens.

In this quote, Dwight D. Eisenhower expresses his disdain for employing military troops to ensure compliance from American citizens with judicial decisions. He highlights a fundamental belief in the importance of civil obedience and the rule of law, suggesting that resorting to force undermines the very principles of democracy and justice.

Themes

LawMilitaryCitizensObedienceJustice

In practice

Example use cases

In a public discussion about democracy, you might reference Eisenhower's quote to emphasize the importance of civil rights.

More from Dwight D. Eisenhower

If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.
Dwight D. EisenhowerRead
The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds. To them, our citizens-of all ages and races, of all creeds and persuasions-must be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unvarnished by fashion and uncompromised by expediency.
Dwight D. EisenhowerRead
You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.
Dwight D. EisenhowerRead
When pressure mounts and strain increases everyone begins to show the weaknesses in his makeup. It is up to the Commander to conceal his: above all to conceal doubt, fear, and distrust.
Dwight D. EisenhowerRead
Some years ago I became president of Columbia University and learned within 24 hours to be ready to speak at the drop of a hat, and I learned something more, the trustees were expected to be ready to speak at the passing of the hat.
Dwight D. EisenhowerRead
I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.
Dwight D. EisenhowerRead

Similar quotes

Even in the 1950s, President Eisenhower was concerned about what he called a campaign of hatred of the U.S. in the Arab world, because of the perception on the Arab street that it supported harsh and oppressive regimes to take their oil.
Noam ChomskyRead
Our Congresses consist of Christians. In their private life they are true to every obligation of honor; yet in every session they violate them all, and do it without shame. Because honor to party is above honor to themselves.
Mark TwainRead
Yet the basic fact remains: every regulation represents a restriction of liberty, every regulation has a cost. That is why, like marriage (in the Prayer Book's words), regulation should not "be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly"
Margaret ThatcherRead
If voting could actually change anything, it would be illegal.
Noam ChomskyRead
I tried to contribute to the defeat of the Soviets. If I contributed 1%, it is 1% of something enormous.
Edward TellerRead
For the Palestinians' efforts to delegitimize Israel will end in failure. Palestinian leaders will not achieve peace or prosperity if Hamas insists on a path of terror and rejection. And Palestinians will never realize their independence by denying the right of Israel to exist.
Barack ObamaRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.