“And to say that society ought to be governed by the opinion of the wisest and best, though true, is useless. Whose opinion is to decide who are the wisest and best?”

The most gullable.

Catch 22 - excellent!

Well stated

I am neither the wisest or the best and I choose to be governed as absolutely little as possible, so ? (really clever, I like it)

One thing is sure, career politicians are not the wisest and best.

Very clever, ( Though true ) . He thought it was useless.
I'm glad our founding fathers did not think it was useless.
This man was British through and through.

You can't learn if you don't make mistakes. Wisdom is a lofty goal -- even the 'wise' know their own foolishness. The god-complex among the ruling class is a rampant disease.

Thomas Jefferson felt the wisest and best were the ones who governed the least. I agree.

Wisdom is a wise son knowing when to plant the crop.
As Washington did not want the job , but only to return to his farm. He that governs best governs lest among children trusted and set at liberty.

"Aye, there's the rub !"