"Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the form of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question"
- Thomas Jefferson
About this Quote
This quote by Thomas Jefferson is a reflection on the concept of government and the power of individuals. He questions whether or not human beings can be depended govern themselves, and if not, can they be trusted to govern others. He then suggests that history will be the judge of this, as it will reveal whether human beings have had the ability to govern themselves or if they require to count on kings or other types of government to do so. This quote speaks to the idea of democracy and the power of the people to make choices for themselves. It also speaks with the idea of accountability and the need for people to be held responsible for their actions. Ultimately, this quote is a reminder that the power of individuals must not be taken for approved and that history will be the ultimate judge of how well people have been able to govern themselves.
"A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect"
"We have our own history, our own language, our own culture. But our destiny is also tied up with the destinies of other people - history has made us all South Africans"
