Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms (of government) those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.

Quote by Thomas Jefferson

Topics: Government Quotes

Always take hold of things by the smooth handle.

Always take hold of things by the smooth handle.

The evidence of the natural rights of expatriation, like that of our right to life,...

The evidence of the natural rights of expatriation, like that of our right to life,...

Agreeable society is the first essential in constituting the happiness and of course the value...

Agreeable society is the first essential in constituting the happiness and of course the value...

Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but...

Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but...

I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may...

I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may...

I am an Epicurean. I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as...

I am an Epicurean. I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as...

In every country and in every age the priest has been hostile to liberty; he...

In every country and in every age the priest has been hostile to liberty; he...

Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.

Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.

Traveling makes a man wiser, but less happy.

Traveling makes a man wiser, but less happy.

I am mortified to be told that, in the United States of America, the sale...

I am mortified to be told that, in the United States of America, the sale...

Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes...

Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes...

No nation is drunken where wine is cheap; and none sober, where the dearness of...

No nation is drunken where wine is cheap; and none sober, where the dearness of...

No duty the Executive had to perform was so trying as to put the right...

No duty the Executive had to perform was so trying as to put the right...

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing...

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing...

It was more in our spirit to let things come to rights by the plain...

It was more in our spirit to let things come to rights by the plain...

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his...

Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his...

The freedom of the press is on of the great bulwarks of liberty, and can...

The freedom of the press is on of the great bulwarks of liberty, and can...

You know why there's a Second Amendment? In case the government fails to follow the...

You know why there's a Second Amendment? In case the government fails to follow the...

The best reason why Monarchy is a strong government is, that it is an intelligible...

The best reason why Monarchy is a strong government is, that it is an intelligible...