Public officers are the servants and agents of the people, to execute the laws which the people have made.
Grover ClevelandRead
In the scheme of our national government, the presidency is preeminently the people's office.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The presidency should serve and represent the interests of the citizens.
This quote by Grover Cleveland emphasizes the fundamental nature of the presidency as a position of service to the public. It highlights that the president's role is not merely one of power, but rather one of responsibility to the people, affirming the idea that the elected leader should always prioritize the needs and concerns of the citizenry over personal or partisan interests.
Themes
PresidencyLeadershipPublic ServiceGovernmentPeople
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about civic responsibility, one might quote this to highlight the importance of elected officials serving their constituents.
More from Grover Cleveland
All quotes βUnswerving loyalty to duty, constant devotion to truth, and a clear conscience will overcome every discouragement and surely lead the way to usefulness and high achievement.
Grover ClevelandRead
Though the people support the government; the government should not support the people.
Grover ClevelandRead
Your every voter, as surely as your chief magistrate, exercises a public trust.
Grover ClevelandRead
It is the responsibility of the citizens to support their government. It is not the responsibility of the government to support its citizens.
Grover ClevelandRead
Once the coffers of the federal government are opened to the public, there will be no shutting them again.
Grover ClevelandRead
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