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.

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.

All power is a trust; that we are accountable for its exercise;
that from the people and for the read more

All power is a trust; that we are accountable for its exercise;
that from the people and for the people all springs, and all must
exist.

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.

If you use your office as you would a private trust, and the
moneys as trust funds, if you read more

If you use your office as you would a private trust, and the
moneys as trust funds, if you faithfully perform your duty, we,
the people, may put you in the Presidential chair.

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.

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.

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.