The lessons of paternalism ought to be unlearned and the better lesson taught that while the people should patriotically and cheerfully support their government, its functions do not include the support of the people.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Citizens should support their government out of patriotism, but the government's role is not to support citizens financially or materially.
- In plain terms
- People support government, not the other way around.
- What can you take from it?
- Government exists to serve the state, not to provide for individuals.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is the proper role of government in helping citizens?
- How much should citizens rely on the state?
Another view
Government often provides essential safety nets that individuals cannot create alone.
More from Grover Cleveland
Party honesty is party expediency.
Permalink to quote #17 It has been the boast of our government that it seeks to do justice in all things without regard to the strength or weakness of those with whom it deals. I mis…
Permalink to quote #19 Communism is a hateful thing and a menace to peace and organized government; but the communism of combined wealth and capital, the outgrowth of overweening cup…
Permalink to quote #16
Related quotes
Our natural dispositions may be good; but we have been badly brought up, and are full of anti-social personal ambitions and prejudices and snobberies. Had we n…
George Bernard ShawGeorge Bernard Shaw quote #28 How does it become a man to behave toward this American government today? I answered that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it.
Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau quote #53 Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President or any other public official save exactly to the degree in which he himsel…
Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt quote #105