Moon Jae-in Quotes

The commotions that have taken place in America, as far as they are yet known to me, offer nothing threatening. They are a proof that the people have liberty enough, and I could not wish them less than they have. If the happiness of the mass of the people can be secured at the expense of a little tempest now and then, or even of a little blood, it will be a precious purchase.

In cities men cannot be prevented from concerting together, and from awakening a mutual excitement which prompts sudden and passionate resolutions. Cities may be looked upon as large assemblies, of which all the inhabitants are members; their populace exercises a prodigious influence upon the magistrates, and frequently executes its own wishes without their intervention.

Democracy must learn to defend itself.

Even if I were knocked down by one gunshot it wouldn't affect our democracy and I wasn't knocked down and I have great confidence in our democracy and in Taiwan and in the people of Taiwan.

People in so many countries look up to the United States as a model of democracy, but I doubt if that can continue. It leaves me with a great sense of loss.

Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.

Democracy's a very fragile thing. You have to take care of democracy. As soon as you stop being responsible to it and allow it to turn into scare tactics, it's no longer democracy, is it? It's something else. It may be an inch away from totalitarianism.

Having principled men and women in office is how you protect yourself from tyranny, and that was something I learned from when I was 2, 3, 5 years old.

We must continually stimulate the living politics of the street...it will be our task to try and break it (elections for the National Assembly) up by force.

Our polity has fallen down a dark hole into a place that is far from the vision and values of those who founded this democracy.

Democracy is much too important to be left to public opinion.

Political activities are still suspended …. The population has always acted according to its feelings instead of its mind.

One of the most interesting reactions to come out of 1968 was in the first publication of the Trilateral Commission, which believed there was a 'crisis of democracy' from too much participation of the masses.

Joe and I are still very aware of the fact that we live in a country where he criticised the government and lived another day. That trumps all. To paraphrase Churchill, democracy is the worst form of government apart from all the other forms of government. You constantly have to fight for it; you have to keep your government honest.

Institutionalizing dissent in our agencies moves us toward a healthier democracy and helps fulfill our founders' vision.

Beijing, much as it has done with Hong Kong, persists in equating 'people power' with instability.

Debate and discussions strengthen democracy but violence during protests weaken democracy.

The foundation of our democracy is the ability to have a debate about any subject. That is why I am so committed to defending free speech.

American democracy is greater with free speech and open dialogue.

Everyone is entitled to their own political opinions. It is what makes our country great.

We need to restore our democracy to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Any country is either becoming more democratic or less democratic. I think the United States hasn't tended to its journey toward democracy in a long time.

We live in a democracy. We don't have to tell the people how to vote.

Perhaps the most important thing I learned was about democracy, that democracy is not our government, our constitution, our legal structure. Too often they are enemies of democracy.

If people wake up, think critically, and get angry, we get connected to that courage that the founding generation meant us to have. History shows when millions just don't go along, resist at any level - and I'm talking about all the way up to bipartisan impeachment and arrest of the leaders of the coup - then it can't happen.