--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We repose an unwise confidence in any…" description: "\"We repose an unwise confidence in any government, or in any men, when we invest them officially with too much, or an unnecessary quantity of, discretio..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/thomas-paine-267_confidence_we-repose-an-unwise-confidence-in-any-go_846758.png" --- # We repose an unwise confidence in any government, or in… ![“We repose an unwise confidence in any government, or in any men, when we invest them officially with too much, or an unnecessary quantity of, discretionary power.” quote by Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/thomas-paine-267_confidence_we-repose-an-unwise-confidence-in-any-go_846758.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/thomas-paine-267_confidence_we-repose-an-unwise-confidence-in-any-go_846758.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/thomas-paine-267_confidence_we-repose-an-unwise-confidence-in-any-go_846758.png) > “We repose an unwise confidence in any government, or in any men, when we invest them officially with too much, or an unnecessary quantity of, discretionary power.” [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Excessive trust in government grants it too much discretionary power, leading to unwise confidence. **In simple terms:** Too much faith in government gives it excess power. Key Takeaway Limit authority, demand accountability. Themes government power trust politics Mood cautious critical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - public policy - civic engagement - legislative reform - activism Key Concepts social contract theory checks and balances Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens balance trust and oversight? - What mechanisms curb governmental overreach? A Different Perspective Power can be necessary for order. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Confidence Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence-government-530070/) [Discretionary Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discretionary-power-703671/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-men-703673/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Quantity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quantity/) [Repose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repose/) [Repose Unwise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repose-unwise-703668/) [Separation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation/) [Separation of powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-of-powers/) [Too much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-much/) [Unnecessary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unnecessary/) [Unwise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unwise/) [Unwise Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unwise-confidence-703666/) ## Related quotes > [By right, as the word is employed in this subject, has always been understood discretion, that is, a full and complete power of either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/by-right-as-the-word-is-employed-in-this-subject-has-always-been/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [I have confidence that the government of Luxembourg will not make any decision that frustrates this transaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lakshmi-mittal/i-have-confidence-that-the-government-of-luxembourg-will-not-make-any/) [Lakshmi Mittal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lakshmi-mittal/) > [“The “objective” of preventing both the repeat devastation of a second killing, and its ensuing loss of confidence in government, constitutes “concerns which are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bagby/the-objective-of-preventing-both-the-repeat-devastation-of-a-second/) [David Bagby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bagby/) > [I want to make sure we are presenting to the South Australian people a Government that is open and accountable. I want to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-weatherill/i-want-to-make-sure-we-are-presenting-to-the-south-australian-people/) [Jay Weatherill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-weatherill/) > [I'm so happy about Biden. I love a boring president. It's such a relief. You just have so much more confidence in our government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/i-m-so-happy-about-biden-i-love-a-boring-president-it-s-such-a-relief/) [John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/) > [Citizens must have confidence in their government, and that starts with the Commissioner of Revenue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-ivey/citizens-must-have-confidence-in-their-government-and-that-starts/) [Kay Ivey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-ivey/) > [The only accusation of Gillian Triggs with the ring of truth is that she has lost the confidence of the government - but then,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-flanagan/the-only-accusation-of-gillian-triggs-with-the-ring-of-truth-is-that/) [Richard Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-flanagan/) > [The fight for reform comes down to a simple goal: giving our citizens the confidence that government serves the people first and the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-riley/the-fight-for-reform-comes-down-to-a-simple-goal-giving-our-citizens/) [Bob Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-riley/) > [Soaring rhetoric will not restore the American people's confidence in their government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-brady/soaring-rhetoric-will-not-restore-the-american-people-s-confidence-in/) [Kevin Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-brady/) > [No country can be called free which is governed by an absolute power; and it matters not whether it be an absolute royal power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-country-can-be-called-free-which-is-governed-by-an-absolute-power/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [I have never made it a consideration whether the subject was popular or unpopular, but whether it was right or wrong; for that which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/i-have-never-made-it-a-consideration-whether-the-subject-was-popular/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [A constitution defines and limits the powers of the government it creates. It therefore follows, as a natural and also a logical result, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/a-constitution-defines-and-limits-the-powers-of-the-government-it/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [War is a thing of fearful and curious anomalies ... It has shown that government by men only is not an appeal to reason,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roberts-rinehart/war-is-a-thing-of-fearful-and-curious-anomalies-it-has-shown-that/) [Mary Roberts Rinehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roberts-rinehart/) > [“Those who work for the government are never men of their word. -Axel Chambers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie-scott/those-who-work-for-the-government-are-never-men-of-their-word-axel/) [Rosie Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie-scott/) > [Providing records in a timely manner is the least the federal government can do for the men and women who have selflessly served our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronny-jackson/providing-records-in-a-timely-manner-is-the-least-the-federal/) [Ronny Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronny-jackson/) ## More by Thomas Paine > [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. He is attached to it on the belief of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-man-is-prejudiced-in-favour-of-a-thing-knowing-it-to-be-wrong-he/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“The laws of every country must be analogous to some common principle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-laws-of-every-country-must-be-analogous-to-some-common-principle/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [The book called the Bible has been voted by men, and decreed by human laws to be the word of God; and the disbelief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-book-called-the-bible-has-been-voted-by-men-and-decreed-by-human/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-argue-with-a-person-who-has-renounced-the-use-of-reason-is-like/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [One would think that a system loaded with such gross and vulgar absurdities as Scripture religion is could never have obtained credit; yet we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/one-would-think-that-a-system-loaded-with-such-gross-and-vulgar/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Commerce diminishes the spirit, both of patriotism and military defence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/commerce-diminishes-the-spirit-both-of-patriotism-and-military-defence/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [What is it the Bible teaches us? - raping, cruelty, and murder. What is it the New Testament teaches us? - to believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/what-is-it-the-bible-teaches-us-raping-cruelty-and-murder-what-is-it/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/those-who-expect-to-reap-the-blessings-of-freedom-must-like-men/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“It has been the practice of all Christian commentators on the Bible, and of all Christian priests and preachers, to impose the Bible on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/it-has-been-the-practice-of-all-christian-commentators-on-the-bible/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [But there are times when men have serious thoughts, and it is at such times, when they begin to think, that they begin to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/but-there-are-times-when-men-have-serious-thoughts-and-it-is-at-such/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Wisdom is not the purchase of a day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/wisdom-is-not-the-purchase-of-a-day/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Our citizenship in the United States is our national character. Our citizenship in any particular state is only our local distinction. By the latter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/our-citizenship-in-the-united-states-is-our-national-character-our/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/suspicion-is-the-companion-of-mean-souls-and-the-bane-of-all-good/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“To pass from the extremes of danger to safety-from the tumult of war to the tranquility of peace, though sweet in contemplation, requires a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-pass-from-the-extremes-of-danger-to-safety-from-the-tumult-of-war/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [What more does man want to know than that the hand or power that made these things is divine, is omnipotent? Let him believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/what-more-does-man-want-to-know-than-that-the-hand-or-power-that-made/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) [Explore all 772 Thomas Paine quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## More Confidence quotes > [The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/the-cia-has-concluded-in-a-secret-assessment-that-russia-intervened/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [I was just confident my work was good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunny-yeager/i-was-just-confident-my-work-was-good/) [Bunny Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunny-yeager/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [Confidence comes from cutting yourself some slack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/confidence-comes-from-cutting-yourself-some-slack/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-ball/i-would-rather-regret-the-things-that-i-have-done-than-the-things/) [Lucille Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-ball/) > [You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/you-want-to-remain-hungry-and-stay-in-a-good-place-as-a-competitor-at/) [Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/) > [Get to know yourself well enough to not only expect, but also control, your response to the unexpected challenges in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/get-to-know-yourself-well-enough-to-not-only-expect-but-also-control/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I look for someone who has confidence. Also someone whose energetic, cause I'm NOT that energetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/i-look-for-someone-who-has-confidence-also-someone-whose-energetic/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [Why shouldn't I be confident? I'm well educated, I can deliver a line, and I have more than three expressions. That's good right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/why-shouldn-t-i-be-confident-i-m-well-educated-i-can-deliver-a-line/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [I was very confident on the stage, and I stood out in a red gown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-johnson/i-was-very-confident-on-the-stage-and-i-stood-out-in-a-red-gown/) [Nicole Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-johnson/) > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/if-you-go-to-any-nunnery-and-ask-them-what-the-main-obstacle-is-they/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) [Browse all 11,290 Confidence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We repose an unwise confidence in any government, or in any men, when we invest them officially with too much, or an unnecessary quantity of, discretionary power.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Paine" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/we-repose-an-unwise-confidence-in-any-government-or-in-any-men-when/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Confidence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/we-repose-an-unwise-confidence-in-any-government-or-in-any-men-when/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/thomas-paine-267_confidence_we-repose-an-unwise-confidence-in-any-go_846758.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/thomas-paine-267_confidence_we-repose-an-unwise-confidence-in-any-go_846758.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/thomas-paine-267_confidence_we-repose-an-unwise-confidence-in-any-go_846758.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We repose an unwise confidence in any government, or in any men, when we invest them officially with too…” — Thomas Paine", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas Paine", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We repose an unwise confidence in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/we-repose-an-unwise-confidence-in-any-government-or-in-any-men-when/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/we-repose-an-unwise-confidence-in-any-government-or-in-any-men-when/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```