Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Avoiding political engagement leads to being ruled by those less qualified or ethical.
In plain terms
If you stay out of politics, less capable people will make the rules for you.
What can you take from it?
Participate in governance to avoid worse leadership.

Where it applies

  • voting
  • community organizing
  • public service

Putting it to work

  • vote in elections
  • run for office
  • attend town halls

Questions to consider

  • How does apathy affect your community?
  • What prevents you from engaging?

Another view

Some valid political systems limit individual influence regardless of participation.

More from Plato

  1. No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.

    Permalink to quote #62
  2. The good are not willing to rule either for the sake of money or of honor. They do not wish to collect pay openly for their service of rule and be styled hirel…

    Permalink to quote #64
  3. The learning and knowledge that we have, is, at the most, but little compared to that of which we are ignorant.

    Permalink to quote #61

Related quotes

  1. No problem exists between the army and the president and it is not necessary to create one artificially.

    Andranik MargaryanAndranik Margaryan quote #1
  2. The politicians pontificate and manoeuvre with eloquent manifestos and pronouncements saying little about the challenges we must confront.

    Ratu Joni MadraiwiwiRatu Joni Madraiwiwi quote #1
  3. Nor is it any longer possible for you to give up this empire ... Your empire is now like a tyranny: it may have been wrong to take it; it is certainly dangerou…

    PericlesPericles quote #1