Thomas Jefferson Quotes

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

Public business … must always be done by somebody…. If wise men decline it, others will not; if honest men refuse it, others will not.

Those who do not serve the public interest should not hold a public license.

Pubic business must be done. It will be done one way or another. If wise men refuse it, others will not. If honest men refuse it, others will not.

Having been given that public trust, we have a responsibility to share with the public.

Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees; and both the trust and trustees are created for the benefit of the public.

Public officers are the trustees of the people.

If you accept the privilege of public service, you had better understand the responsibilities of public service.

When I talk to young people about entering government, I tell them, “Now think of the worst thing you’ve ever done in your life. Don’t tell me what it is. Now think about having it on the 10 o’clock news.”

No personal consideration should stand in the way of performing a public duty.

We are here to serve our citizens and not our ambitions.

The Administration of Government, is nothing else but the Attendance of the Trustees of the People upon the Interest and Affairs of the People

In a country where offices are created solely for the benefit of the people no one man has any more intrinsic right to official station than another. Offices were not established to give support to particular men at the public expense. No individual wrong is, therefore, done by removal, since neither appointment to nor continuance in office is a matter of right.

The public character of every public servant is legitimate subject of discussion, and his fitness or unfitness for office may be fairly canvassed by any person.

No public man can be just a little crooked.

Administrators are there because of the fans and the cricketers to run this game, so credibility of a game, or a board, or even a government for that matter, is important irrespective of what you do. If you are in public life, it is important.

You ask men in office to be honest; I ask them to serve the public.

For years now I have been talking about personal responsibility and accountability, both in our private lives and in the halls of government. Those are important principles here in Idaho, and they will form the basis of this administration.

Thus, neither my government nor myself, personally, are without ideals and responsibilities.

We want to bring back to Washington people who are more interested in public service than they are in private gain.

Those who are selected for a limited time to manage public affairs are still of the people, and may do much by their example to encourage, consistently with the dignity of their official functions, that plain way of life which among their fellow-citizens aids integrity and promotes thrift and prosperity.

If we promise as public officials, we must deliver.

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.

The best citizens were supposed to desire honest men in office, men who would not take bribes, men who would appoint high-minded men as their subordinates, men who would look after the public interest, see that public charities were well supported.

When you decide you're going to be a public servant, you should not be able to take on interests that conflict with the city.