"There is scarce a king in a hundred who would not,
if he could, follow the example of Pharaoh
- get first all the people's money,
then their lands,
and then make them and their children servants forever.
It will be said that we do not propose to establish kings.
I know it. But there is a natural inclination in mankind
to kingly government. ....
I am apprehensive - therefore - perhaps too apprehensive -
that the government of these States may in future times
end in a monarchy [not called a monarchy
but an executive with monarchial powers].
But this catastrophe, I think, may long be delayed,
if in our proposed system we do not sow the seeds
of contention, faction and tumult, by making
our posts of honor places of profit.
If we do, I fear that, though we employ at first a number
and not a single person, the number will in time
be set aside, it will only nourish the fetus of a king
... and a king will the sooner be set over us."
-- Benjamin Franklin
This will be saved and printed out to go along with the (apparently doctored) quote from Cicero
“The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt.”
Apparently the guote this derives from is:
“The arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome fall.”
I like both and can extrapolate the one from the other.