Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The quote contrasts pure democracy with liberty, suggesting liberty requires the ability to resist majority tyranny.
- In plain terms
- Majority rule can be dangerous unless the minority has a way to fight back.
- What can you take from it?
- Liberty requires the right to resist the majority.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is majority rule always fair?
- How do you protect individual rights?
Another view
The metaphor oversimplifies how democratic safeguards function in practice.
More from Benjamin Franklin
Treason is a charge invented by winners as an excuse for hanging the losers.
Permalink to quote #29 God made beer because he loves us and wants us to be happy.
Permalink to quote #31 We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.
Permalink to quote #28
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