"No nation ever yet found any inconvenience from too close an inspection into the conduct of its officers, but many have been brought to ruin and reduced to slavery by suffering gradual impositions and abuses"

This quote by Edward Livingston is an alerting to countries to be watchful in their oversight of their officers. He is suggesting that nations ought to closely check the conduct of their officers in order to prevent any abuses of power. He is suggesting that if a country does not closely examine the conduct of its officers, it may suffer from gradual impositions and abuses that might result in destroy and even slavery. This quote is a reminder to nations to be knowledgeable about the capacity for abuse of power and to take steps to prevent it. It is also a tip that nations must be proactive in their oversight of their officers in order to protect their residents and their sovereignty.