Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.

Quote by John Adams

Topics: Power Quotes, Society Quotes

Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never...

Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never...

Property is surely a right of mankind as real as liberty.

Property is surely a right of mankind as real as liberty.

I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of...

I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of...

Politics are the divine science, after all,

Politics are the divine science, after all,

This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in...

This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in...

When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking or thinking I cannot choose but...

When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking or thinking I cannot choose but...

The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by...

The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by...

While all other sciences have advanced, that of government is at a standstill - little...

While all other sciences have advanced, that of government is at a standstill - little...

A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows is...

A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows is...

The most sensible and jealous people are so little attentive to government that there are...

The most sensible and jealous people are so little attentive to government that there are...

Education makes a greater difference between man and man than nature has made between man...

Education makes a greater difference between man and man than nature has made between man...

Laws for the liberal education of youth, especially for the lower classes of people, are...

Laws for the liberal education of youth, especially for the lower classes of people, are...

Where annual elections end, there slavery begins

Where annual elections end, there slavery begins

The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian...

The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian...

If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind, whom should we...

If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind, whom should we...

The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as...

The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as...

The preservation of the means of knowledge among the lowest ranks is of more importance...

The preservation of the means of knowledge among the lowest ranks is of more importance...

The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched...

The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched...

What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist

What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist

The known propensity of a democracy is to licentiousness which the ambitious call, and the...

The known propensity of a democracy is to licentiousness which the ambitious call, and the...

People mistakenly assume that their thinking is done by their head; it is actually done...

People mistakenly assume that their thinking is done by their head; it is actually done...