Who said “It is not the function of our Government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it…”?

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Robert H. Jackson. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceAmerican Communications Association v. Douds (1950)

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“It is not the function of our Government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the Government from falling into error.”
— Robert H. Jackson
VerifiedAmerican Communications Association v. Douds (1950) · evidenceCitizenship
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: American Communications Association v. Douds (1950).

APA

Jackson, R. H. (n.d.). It is not the function of our Government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the Government from falling into error. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/5164-it-is-not-the-function-of-our-government/

MLA

Jackson, Robert H. “It is not the function of our Government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the Government from falling into error.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/5164-it-is-not-the-function-of-our-government/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Jackson, Robert H. “It is not the function of our Government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the Government from falling into error.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/5164-it-is-not-the-function-of-our-government/.

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More quotes by Robert H. Jackson

“Men are more often bribed by their loyalties and ambitions than by money.”
VerifiedUnited States v. Wunderlich, 342 U.S. 98, 103 (1951) · evidenceDetails & citeGifts
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