All persons possessing any portion of power ought to be strongly
and awfully impressed with an idea that they read more

All persons possessing any portion of power ought to be strongly
and awfully impressed with an idea that they act in trust, and
that they are to account for their conduct in that trust to the
one great Master, Author, and Founder of society.

The very essence of a free government consists in considering
offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of read more

The very essence of a free government consists in considering
offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country,
and not for the benefit of an individual or a party.

The appointing power of the Pope is treated as a public trust,
and not as a personal perquisite.

The appointing power of the Pope is treated as a public trust,
and not as a personal perquisite.

The phrase "public office is a public trust," has of last become
common property.

The phrase "public office is a public trust," has of last become
common property.

The English doctrine that all power is a trust for the public
good.

The English doctrine that all power is a trust for the public
good.

Public officers are the servants and agents of the people, to
execute laws which the people have made and read more

Public officers are the servants and agents of the people, to
execute laws which the people have made and within the limits of
a constitution which they have established.

Your every voter, as surely as your chief magistrate, under the
same high sanction, though in a different sphere, read more

Your every voter, as surely as your chief magistrate, under the
same high sanction, though in a different sphere, exercises a
public trust.

To execute laws is a royal office; to execute orders is not to be
a king. However, a political read more

To execute laws is a royal office; to execute orders is not to be
a king. However, a political executive magistracy, though merely
such, is a great trust.

It is not fit the public trusts should be lodged in the hands of
any till they are first read more

It is not fit the public trusts should be lodged in the hands of
any till they are first proved and found fit for the business
they are to be entrusted with.