While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in the short space of four years.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lincoln argues that a virtuous citizenry protects the government from serious harm in the short term.
- In plain terms
- Good people watching the government keep it safe from bad leaders.
- What can you take from it?
- Citizen vigilance is a safeguard against government corruption.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What protects democracy?
- How much vigilance is needed?
Another view
Short term safety does not guarantee long term security.
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