Concentrating Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“The concentrating of powers in the same hands is precisely the definition of despotic government. It will be no alleviation that these powers will be exercised by a plurality of hands, and not by a single one.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Letter to John Adams, 1776
Concentrating power in one person creates tyranny; spreading it among many does not guarantee freedom.
In simple terms: Power in one hand = tyranny; many hands not a cure.
Key Takeaway
Guard against centralization.
Themes
politics
government
tyranny
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- legislation
- organizational design
- public policy
Key Concepts
democracy
checks and balances
power distribution
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure plural power remains accountable?
- What safeguards prevent new forms of tyranny?
A Different Perspective
Even plural hands can collude or dominate.
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
