John Adams

"Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases. "

"Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide. "

"Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak. "

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. "

"Power always thinks... that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws. "

"There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty. "