The tumultuous populace of large cities are ever to be dreaded. Their indiscriminate violence prostrates for the time all public authority, and its consequences are sometimes extensive and terrible.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Washington warns that large crowds in cities can become violent and undermine public authority.
- In plain terms
- He feared the chaotic crowds in big cities could destroy order.
- What can you take from it?
- Maintaining order in large gatherings is difficult and dangerous.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you manage large groups safely?
- When does protest become dangerous?
Another view
It stereotypes citizens as inherently dangerous without cause.
More from George Washington
The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.
Permalink to quote #110 To err is natural; to rectify error is glory.
Permalink to quote #112 The liberality of sentiment toward each other, which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country, stands unparalleled in the histor…
Permalink to quote #109
Related quotes
In any country there must be people who have to die. They are the sacrifices any nation has to make to achieve law and order.
Idi AminIdi Amin quote #2 I will rule them by fixed laws so that rest and happiness shall prevail in the world.
Genghis KhanGenghis Khan quote #2 Harshness towards individuals who flout the laws and commands of state is for the public good; no greater crime against the public interest is possible than to…
Cardinal RichelieuCardinal Richelieu quote #6