Jacques Barzun Quotes

There can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship.

Unless we citizens speak out, unless we are vigilant, democracy cannot fully function.

Democracy doesn't require a whole lot of work of its citizens, but it requires some: It requires taking a good look outside once in a while, and considering the bad news and what it might mean, and making the occasional tough choice, and soberly taking stock of what your real interests are.

For America to work, Americans have to participate. If they don’t pay attention, they’re going to get screwed.

Democracy depends on well educated and engaged citizens.

I'm a citizen in a democracy. To call me an activist would be redundant. It's not a spectator sport. If we all become non-participants, it no longer works.

The job of a citizen is to keep his mouth open.

But, you know, I'm sorry, I think democracy requires participation. I mean, I don't want to proselytize but I do feel some sort of duty to participate in the process in some way other than just blindly getting behind a political party.

Only a knowledgeable, empowered and vocal citizenry can perform well in democracy.

Citizenship is a tough occupation which obliges the citizen to make his own informed opinion and stand by it.

Democracy is interactive... It's a constant job of information, education, explanation, listening, and interactive communication.

Democracy functions best when we have an active citizenry.

I certainly think it's very important that writers as citizens - not necessarily as writers, but just as ordinary citizens - should talk about things that matter to them.

We are in a democratic society. It's our job to question.

As a citizen, you need to know how to be a part of it, how to express yourself - and not just by voting.

I expect we will become more demanding as citizens.

Being a citizen in a democracy involves more than just voting. It means being involved for the common whole.

Citizens are refined, cultivated, and very political. I believe in the legitimacy of their participation.

The very right to vote imposes on me the duty to instruct myself in public affairs however little influence my voice may have in them.

To speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it.

... the even more fundamental task that lies before the leader of a democracy is to bring to the people the realization that true democracy is the effort of the people individually to carry their share of the burden of government.

We do not say that a man who takes no interest in politics is a man who minds his own business; we say that he has no business here at all.

The work of being a citizen is hard and annoying, but it can pay off.

As citizens, we have to co-create good governance, we cannot outsource it and hope to be passively happy consumers. Like everything worth its while, good governance must be earned.

Our culture is at a critical cusp - a time that requires that we define what it means to be a citizen in a democracy. Within our nation we need to foster a greater sense of collective responsibility.