Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
We make a great mistake in supposing all people are capable of self-government.
Government is an evil; it is only the thoughtlessness and vices of men that make it a necessary evil. When all men are good and wise, government will of itself decay.
To govern mankind, one must not overrate them.
Mankind is made great or little by its own will.
We prefer self-government with danger to servitude in tranquility.
Under a dictatorship, a nation ceases to exist. All that remains is a fiefdom, a planet of slaves regimented by aliens from outer space.
Old forms of government finally grow so oppressive that they must be thrown off even at the risk of reigns of terror.
Governments are run by people. People can be bad.
The principle of self-government cannot be violated with impunity. The individual's right to it is sacred - regardless of class, caste, race, color, sex or any other accident or incident of birth.
Mankind can be very magnanimous, given the chance.