Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the form of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.
Interpretation
This quote questions the trustworthiness of humans in positions of power, both over themselves and others.
Thomas Jefferson raises a critical inquiry about human governance and authority in this quote. He challenges the notion of whether individuals can govern themselves, and if so, whether any are fit to govern others. By inviting history to provide answers, Jefferson emphasizes the wisdom gained from past experiences, suggesting that perhaps no human, no matter how noble or kingly, is inherently trustworthy in leadership roles.
In practice
During a political debate, one might use this quote to advocate for checks and balances in government.
The firmness with which the (American) people have withstood the... abuses of the press, the discernment they have manifested between truth and falsehood, show that they may safely be trusted to hear everything true and false and to form a correct judgment between them.
I, place economy among the first & most important republican virtues, & public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared
We must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labor and in our amusements...if we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.
Very many and very meritorious were the worthy patriots who assisted in bringing back our government to its republican tack. To preserve it in that, will require unremitting vigilance.
A nation, as a society, forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society.
Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.
Yet this is trash that the Church imposes upon the world as the Word of God; this is the collection of lies and contradictions called the Holy Bible! This is the rubbish called Revealed Religion!
If you live in New York, even if you're Catholic, you're Jewish
Simplicity and order are, if not the principal, then certainly the most important guidelines for human beings in general.
Scratch the surface of most cynics and you find a frustrated idealist — someone who made the mistake of converting his ideals into expectations.
A corner draft fluttered the flame And the white fever of temptation Upswept its angel wings that cast A cruciform shadow.
Fate's arrow, when expected, travels slow.
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