Thomas Jefferson Quotes

In the coming days, I know there will be some reflecting on my time as mayor. Many of you will search to find what's behind my decision. It's simple. I have always believed that every person, especially public officials, must understand when it is time to move on. For me, that time is now.

No one person should be bigger than the office he represents.

Public men are bees working in a glass hive.

For you will seem either not to esteem government worth much, or to think few worthy to hold it.

Public officers are the trustees of the people.

What is the use of being elected or reelected unless you stand for something?

It does take courage to be in public life.

Those who fill a public position must not be too thin-skinned in reference to comments made upon him.

The great scientist was offered the Presidency of the young state of Israel:] I am deeply moved ..., though also sad and abashed that it is impossible for me to accept this offer. Since all my life I have been dealing with the world of objects. I have neither the natural ability nor the experience necessary to deal with human beings and to carry out official functions.

The trust that goes with public service is a heavy burden on those who would lead us.

While not all politicians are statesmen, all statesmen are politicians.

No one man has any more intrinsic right to official station than another .... The duties of all public officers are ... so plain and simple that men of intelligence may readily qualify themselves for their performance.

I am, as you know, only the servant of the people.

I have an obligation to the people of Illinois, to the Senate and to myself to leave the Senate while I am still eager to serve, not after I tire of serving.

Each of us in our time in high office had our ample share of severe critics. But only we actually knew, far better than our worst critics ever dreamed, how truly fallible and all-too-human each of us really was.

I am the only public servant and the only Mexican President ever who has made his finances public from before, during, and after public service.

People hold elected officials to a higher ethical standard than most others.

Let men in office substitute the midnight oil for the limelight.

The Prime Minister of this country should be 100 percent efficient at all time.

There are two rules for mayors: Be there and do something.

I wonder truly at your insolence, that, whereas by God's favor and mine, you have occupied the rank and office of the wise, you have neglected the studies and labors of the wise. Either, therefore, at once give up the discharge of the temporal duties which you hold, or endeavor more zealously to study the lessons of wisdom. Such are my commands.

I have been in public office and have been criticized. I do not object to it. A public official should be willing to be criticized. An agent of the people of this country should be called to account.

It was flattering to have high expectations, but I was never going to be President.

When you get into this line of work, you're in public office, you expect you're gonna have cheap shots taken at you. That's part of the process.

As the leaders of this great country, I urge my fellow colleagues in the House, governors, and presidential candidates alike to hold ourselves up to a higher standard.