Political Quotes

On the record
To suppose that because our Government has been instituted for the benefit of the people it must therefore have the power to do what ever may seem to conduce to the public good is an error into which even honest minds are too apt to fall.
Said by
Andrew Jackson
Democratic · Tennessee

Editor's note · Context

Jackson critiques the misconception that government should have the power to act solely for the public good.

Share

More from Andrew Jackson

Mar 3, 1837

The duty of every government [is so] to regulate its currency as to protect this numerous class.

presidency.ucsb.edu
Feb 23, 1837

To the House of Representatives: I transmit a letter from the Secretary of War ad interim, accompanied by various documents, in relation to a survey recently made of the mouths of the Mississippi River under a law of the last session of…

presidency.ucsb.edu
Jan 17, 1837

The Government of the United States is ever anxious to cultivate peace and friendship with all nations; but it proceeds on the principle that all nations have the right to alter, amend, or change their own government as the sovereign…

presidency.ucsb.edu
Mar 3, 1837

But amid this general prosperity and splendid success the dangers of which he warned us are becoming every day more evident.

presidency.ucsb.edu

Other voices in this conversation