“The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government”
— Thomas Jefferson
Simplified Meaning:
A good government should focus on making sure people are safe, happy, and live well, rather than hurting them or making their lives worse. Think of a parent looking after a child: the parent's main job is to care for the child's needs, help them grow, and keep them from harm, not to cause them trouble. The same idea applies to a government. For example, when a government provides health care, education, and security, it helps people live better lives. If it abuses its power and causes fear or suffering, it fails in its purpose. So, rulers should always aim to improve people's lives and prioritize their well-being, just like good parents would for their children.
Related tags
Care Destruction Governance Government Happiness Human life Policy Public service Well-beingFEATURED QUOTES