PARLIAMENTARY QUOTES
The original author of Robert’s Rules of Order, Henry Martyn Robert, made a few insightful comments concerning deliberative assemblies, parliamentary law, and democratic decision making in general. Here are just a few of his quotes:
The great lesson for democracies to learn is for the majority to give to the minority a full, free opportunity to present their side of the case, and then for the minority, having failed to win a majority to their views, gracefully to submit and to recognize the action as that of the entire organization, and cheerfully to assist in carrying it out, until they can secure its repeal.
Henry M. Robert
Parliamentary Law, p. 4
Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty.
Henry M. Robert
Robert’s Rules of Order preface, 1876
The assembly meets to transact business, not to have members exploit their knowledge of parliamentary law. A business meeting is not a class in parliamentary law.
Henry M. Robert
Parliamentary Law, p. 151
Parliamentary law should be the servant, not the master, of the assembly.
Henry M. Robert
Parliamentary Law, p. 151
For more details about the author’s life, refer to the Official Robert’s Rules of Order website links below: