Majority rule

Explore 2 quotes about Majority rule

All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.

Thomas Jefferson

First Inaugural Address of Thomas Jefferson

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

Majority rule Minority rights Democracy Political theory

Speaker

Thomas Jefferson

Source

First Inaugural Address of Thomas Jefferson Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1801 1800s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. "First Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1801, Senate Chamber, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

A majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a free people. Whoever rejects it does, of necessity, fly to anarchy or to despotism.

Abraham Lincoln

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

Majority rule Checks and balances Minority rights Political theory

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1861 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "First Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1861, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "First Inaugral Address, March 4, 1861." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 2018.