"When a man assumes a public trust he should consider himself a public property"

This quote by Thomas Jefferson indicates that when a person tackles a function or responsibility in a public ability, such as a politician or government official, they must place the demands as well as interests of the public before their own personal interests. They ought to watch themselves as a servant of the people, answerable as well as liable to the general public. The quote shows Jefferson's belief in autonomous perfects and also the value of openness and accountability in government. He thought that those ready of power should offer the public, as opposed to manipulating their positions for personal gain. Essentially, public servants must acknowledge that they are handed over with power in order to offer the common great, and need to act as necessary.