Plato Quotes

The punishment which the wise suffer who refuse to take part in the government, is to live under the government of worse men.

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

Responsible citizenship comes from direct participation in the conduct of the government, and imposes equal responsibility upon every citizen. If we could quicken and increase appreciation of this responsibility, and every citizen were made to feel its weight and importance, it would go far toward improving our political and national life.

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.

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

To let politics become a cesspool, and then avoid it because it is a cesspool, is a double crime.

From my father's point of view, without a thought for self, a true patriot stands up against the stones of condemnation and speaks for those who are given no real voice in the halls of justice or the halls of government.

There are many causes why a people politically ignorant cannot be roused to action. Perfect political ignorance must be accompanied by indifference to the general interests of society, and thus one of the most powerful motives which can act on the human mind is totally destroyed.

The first duty of an American citizen, then is that he shall work in politics.

Pubic business must be done. It will be done one way or another. If wise men refuse it, others will not. If honest men refuse it, others will not.

Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better, the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph.

Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.

Not voting is not a protest. It is a surrender.

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.

To sit home, read one's favorite paper, and scoff at the misdeeds of the men who do things is easy, but it is markedly ineffective. It is what evil men count upon the good men's doing.

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

Passivity is the same as defending injustice.

In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?

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.

I realized that public affairs were also my affairs.

I get no pleasure from politics; it's not in my character.

To sit back and say, 'Oh, we're going to let the government do whatever they want, right or wrong,' is giving up.

Growing up, when we would get dragged to these events, I didn't want to be there. Over time, as we got older, I developed a real appreciation of the importance of being involved in the democratic process.

Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.

What we try to say is that it doesn't matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat or conservative or independent. You are equally responsible for your place in the culture, and you must make a contribution, and you must accept responsibility for what goes down on your watch.