And let no government imagine, that, to strip them of the…
“And let no government imagine, that, to strip them of the power of defrauding their subjects, is to deprive them of a valuable privilege. A system of swindling can never be long lived, and must infallibly in the end produce much more loss than profit.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Governments that rely on exploiting citizens cannot sustain themselves; corruption erodes wealth and legitimacy.
In simple terms: Corrupt rule collapses over time.
Key Takeaway
Avoid policies that enable fraud.
Themes
politics
ethics
economics
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
economic
When to use this quote
- policy design
- anti‑corruption reforms
- citizen oversight
Key Concepts
public choice
institutional decay
moral hazard
Questions to Reflect On
- How can transparency reduce abuse of power?
- What safeguards protect citizens from systemic fraud?
A Different Perspective
Corruption may persist if unchecked by strong institutions.