"People have to be educated and they have to stick to it. If people lose that respect, an awful lot is lost"

Stephen Breyer’s observation addresses the fundamental role of education and ongoing commitment within a society governed by laws and mutual respect. He highlights the necessity for individuals to be educated, not merely in the sense of formal schooling, but in understanding the principles, rights, processes, and responsibilities that underpin a functioning society. It is through education that citizens come to appreciate the delicate frameworks that maintain order, justice, and equality.

Education alone, however, is not sufficient. Breyer emphasizes the importance of perseverance, the need to “stick to it.” Sustaining a just and lawful society requires continual engagement, vigilance, and the willingness to uphold shared values, even when faced with challenges or dissatisfaction. When people maintain their commitment to the ideals and rules they have learned, those institutions and norms remain strong and effective. This ongoing dedication helps societies adapt, correct their course, and face new circumstances without abandoning the core values that bind them together.

The warning Breyer offers is clear: the erosion of respect for these societal underpinnings, be it for institutions, the rule of law, or for each other, endangers the entire system. Respect acts as the invisible glue holding democratic societies together. When it fades, trust deteriorates, civic engagement wanes, and the social contract frays. Fundamental elements like justice, civic freedom, and representative government become vulnerable. The loss isn’t only structural but profoundly personal, affecting how individuals interact and see their place in the larger community.

Breyer’s words serve as a reminder that civic health depends on both informed citizens and their active, respectful participation. Sustaining a healthy society is a constant endeavor, requiring not only knowledge but also the persistent choice to uphold shared values. Neglecting either dimension risks losing the very foundations upon which prosperity and liberty rest.