Democracy Quotes

Democracy is not based on violence or terrorism, but on reason, on fair play, on freedom, on respecting the rights of other people. Democracy is no harlot to be picked up in the street by a man with a tommy gun. I trust the people, the mass of the people, in almost any country, but I like to make sure that it is the people and not a gang of bandits who think that by violence they can overturn constituted authority.

Democracy is more vindictive than Cabinets.

The object of Parliament is to substitute argument for fisticuffs.

How can I accept the Order of the Garter, when the people of England have just given me the Order of the Boot?

It is only the continuance of the war and the extraordinary conditions which it imposes and forces upon us all that justifies us in remaining together as a Parliament. I certainly could not take the responsibility of making far-reaching controversial changes which I am not convinced are directly needed for the war effort, without a Parliament refreshed by contact with the electorate.

Much might be said for and against the two-Party system. But no one can doubt that it adds to the stability and cohesion of the State. The alternation of Parties in power, like the rotation of crops, has beneficial results. Each of the two Parties has services to render in the development of the national life; and the succession of new and different points of view is a real benefit to the country.

Democracy don't rule the world, You'd better get that in your head; This world is ruled by violence, But I guess that's better left unsaid.

A republic cannot succeed, till it contains a certain body of men imbued with the principles of justice and honour.

If voting made any difference they wouldn't let us do it.

Science and democracy are the right and left hands of what I'll refer to as the move from the realm of necessity to the realm of freedom.

Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few.

If Despotism failed only for want of a capable benevolent despot, what chance has Democracy, which requires a whole population of capable voters.

The spirit of democracy is not a mechanical thing to be adjusted by abolition of forms. It requires change of heart.

What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?

Democracy and violence can ill go together. Evolution of democracy is not possible if we are not prepared to hear the other side.

Democracy is not a state in which people act like sheep.

Political power means the capacity to regulate national life through national representatives.

What is really needed to make democracy function is not knowledge of facts, but right education.

Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.

Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed.