"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"
- Thomas Jefferson
About this Quote
This quote by Thomas Jefferson is an alerting about the potential for power to be abused. He is saying that even when a government is well-intentioned and has the very best of intents, those in power can still gradually and slowly utilize their power to produce a tyrannical system. Jefferson is suggesting that the people should be aware of this potential and be watchful in keeping an eye on those in power to make sure that they are not abusing their authority. He is also recommending that the people ought to be proactive in avoiding the abuse of power by holding those in power responsible and guaranteeing that they are acting in the best interests of individuals. This quote serves as a suggestion that power must never ever be considered approved and that it should constantly be utilized properly.
"Don't lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality"