Sir,
It is a common Thing to find People of small Abilities, and little Knowledge, extremely fond of Power; and such Persons are generally the most severe in the Exercise of it. Authority is very apt to intoxicate weak Minds, and make them forget that they are Men; and it is seldom trusted in such Hands without being abused.
There are some among us, who seem to imagine that the End of all Government is to give them an Opportunity of shewing their Importance, and of making others sensible of their Dependence. These Men take a Pride in being obey’d, not because Obedience is useful, but because it flatters their Vanity; and they often exercise their Authority with so much Rigour, as renders it more grievous than beneficial.
For my own Part, I have always thought that the surest Way of gaining Respect, is to deserve it; and that he who governs with Mildness and Justice, will be more readily obey’d, than he who endeavours to support his Power by Terror and Severity. Force may compel an outward Compliance, but it can never produce a sincere Regard.
I cannot but think it highly necessary, that those who are entrusted with Authority should frequently examine their own Conduct, and consider whether they use their Power for the Good of others, or merely for the Gratification of their own Passions. Such a Reflection would, I believe, prevent many Abuses, and render Government more easy to the Governed.
I am, Sir,
Your humble Servant,
Silence Dogood
Notes on the Text
- This letter was published anonymously under the Silence Dogood pseudonym.
- The author was later revealed to be Benjamin Franklin.
- Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation reflect early eighteenth-century print conventions.
- Minor variations appear among surviving historical printings.