Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.
FREEDOM · VERIFIED · EN
John Adams Quote
“When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking or thinking I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists; but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more.”
0
Source: Quotables — alvations/Quotables (CC0 1.0 dataset)
Attribution status: verified · Publication status: cleared
Explore more quotes attributed to John Adams or browse freedom quotes.
If you believe this quote is incorrectly attributed or should be removed, see Copyright and quote corrections.
Related verified quotes
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.
Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.
Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.
Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
The happiness of society is the end of government.