Resolved ... that it would be a dangerous delusion were a confidence in the men of our choice to silence our fears for the safety of our rights: that confidence is everywhere the parent of despotism - free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence;
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Free government needs suspicion of leaders, not blind trust, to protect rights.
- In plain terms
- Trust leaders too much and you lose freedom.
- What can you take from it?
- Question leaders to keep government free.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How much to trust leaders?
- What protects your rights?
Another view
Excessive suspicion can paralyze governance.
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A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their governmen…
Permalink to quote #31 It is jealousy and not confidence which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those whom we are obliged to trust with power... Our Constitution has ac…
Permalink to quote #33 It was by the sober sense of our citizens that we were safely and steadily conducted from monarchy to republicanism, and it is by the same agency alone we can …
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