Sometimes it is said that man can not be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.

Thomas Jefferson

First Inaugural Address of Thomas Jefferson

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More information about this quote

Topic

Political theory Government

Speaker

Thomas Jefferson

Source

First Inaugural Address of Thomas Jefferson Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1801 1800s 19th century

Occupation

Founding Father American President National leader Politician

From

United States

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. "First Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1801, Senate Chamber, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Thomas Jefferson about political theory: “Sometimes it is said that man can not be trusted with the government…”
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A quote by Thomas Jefferson about political theory: “Sometimes it is said that man can not be trusted with the government…”
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A quote by Thomas Jefferson about political theory: “Sometimes it is said that man can not be trusted with the government…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by Thomas Jefferson

He who knows most, knows best how little he knows.

Thomas Jefferson

More information about this quote
Topic
Intellectual humility

Author

Thomas Jefferson
Statement Type
Paradox
Language
English
Time
1812 1810s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. Thomas Jefferson’s Batture Pamphlet. 25 Feb. 1812.

Another quote from the 1800s

Man was made for joy and woe,
And when this we rightly know
Through the world we safely go.

William Blake

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More information about this quote
Topic
The human condition Wisdom Happiness Sadness

Author

William Blake
Source
Poems from the Pickering Manuscript
Medium
Poem
Language
English
Time
1805 1800s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Blake, William. "Auguries of Innocence." Songs of Innocence and Experience, with Other Poems. London: Basil Montagu Pickering, 1866.

Current Citation

Blake, William. "Auguries of Innocence." William Blake: Selected Poems, edited by Nicholas Shrimpton. Oxford University Press, 2019.

Another quote about Government

Democracy is the worst form of Government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.

Winston Churchill

More information about this quote
Topic
Democracy Government Politics
Speaker
Winston Churchill
Medium
Speech
Language
English
Time
1947 1940s 20th century
Authentication Score 1
Citation

Churchill, Winston. Address in the House of Commons. House of Commons meeting. 11 Nov. 1947, The Palace of Westminster, London, England, UK.

Another quote from the following genre Political speech

Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom: it is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.

William Pitt, Earl of Chatham

More information about this quote
Topic
Threats to freedom Freedom
Speaker
William Pitt, Earl of Chatham
Medium
Speech
Genre
Political speech
Language
English
Time
1783 1780s 18th century
Authentication Score 1
Citation

Pitt, William. Speech in the House of Lords. House of Lords meeting. 18 Nov. 1783, Palace of Westminster, Westminster, London, England, UK.