---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The functionaries of every government…"
description: "\"The functionaries of every government have propensities to command at will the liberty and property of their constituents.\" — Thomas Jefferson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/thomas-jefferson-43_command_the-functionaries-of-every-government-ha_2691609.jpg"
---

#  The functionaries of every government have propensities to…

![“The functionaries of every government have propensities to command at will the liberty and property of their constituents.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/thomas-jefferson-43_command_the-functionaries-of-every-government-ha_2691609.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/thomas-jefferson-43_command_the-functionaries-of-every-government-ha_2691609.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/thomas-jefferson-43_command_the-functionaries-of-every-government-ha_2691609.jpg)

> “The functionaries of every government have propensities to command at will the liberty and property of their constituents.”

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Government officials tend to seize citizens’ liberty and property at will.

**In simple terms:** Officials often abuse power over people.

Key Takeaway

Guard against governmental overreach.

Themes

politics rights government

Mood

cautious concerned

Type

political ethical

When to use this quote

- legal reforms
- civic education
- public policy
- activism

Key Concepts

Power abuse civil liberties

Questions to Reflect On

- What safeguards protect against abuse?
- How can citizens hold officials accountable?

A Different Perspective

Historical context differs from modern systems.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Command](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/command/) [Command Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/command-liberty-2329826/) [Constituents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constituents/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Functionaries Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/functionaries-government-2329824/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government Propensities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-propensities-2662151/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Propensity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/propensity/) [Property](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/property/)

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[Benjamin Haydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-haydon/)

## More by Thomas Jefferson

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