Political Quotes

On the record
Experience has taught us that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures the best calculated for their own good, without the intervention of a coercive power.
Said by
Charles Sumner
Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

He argues that experience shows the need for a coercive power to implement beneficial measures.

Share

More from Charles Sumner

By Perpetual Peace Kant understood a condition of nations where there could be no fear of War; and this condition, he said, was demanded by reason, which, abhorring all War, as little adapted to establish right, must regard this final…

gutenberg.org

More precious far at that moment the consolation that he had labored for his fellow-men, and the joyous confidence that all his cares had helped the Progress of his race!

gutenberg.org

They belong to a system so essentially irrational, that all the admitted virtues of many of its agents cannot save it from judgment.

gutenberg.org

Endeavor, for a moment, by comparison with other interests, to grapple with this sum.

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation