Justice William O. Douglas, (1898-1980), U. S. Supreme Court Justice Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Justice William O. Douglas Quote “Those in power need checks and restraints lest they come to identify the common good for their own tastes and desires, and their continuation in office as essential to the preservation of the nation.”Justice William O. Douglas ~ Justice William O. Douglas (1898-1980), U. S. Supreme Court JusticeWe, The Judges, 1956 Despotism , Justice , Power , Tyranny , Usurpation Ratings and Comments 4 Reply Me Again, Your Town,USA 11/2/06 Thank you Justice Douglas!George,did you get that? 4 Reply Logan, Memphis, TN 11/2/06 This is why I've always thought we need to hang at least one public official, in each state, a year. Whatever happened to a good public hangin' of a corrupt official? 4 Reply Mike, Norwalk 11/2/06 LOL Logan, can we add to your scenario one federal Supreme Court Justice a year that says something good and then does something to negate it. 2 Reply David L Rosenthal 11/2/06 My mother used to say that all mothers should be drowned at birth, so I guess she would agree with this as well. 3 Reply David L. Rosenthal 11/2/06 The first part may be sincere, but the second part must be sarcasm. 3 Reply Joe, Rochester, MI 11/2/06 The Constitution is the check and restraint, which is ignored. We need term limits on politicians (congress, senate), as they are NOT "essential to the preservation of the nation" any more than you or I. 4 Reply Anonymous, Reston, VA US 11/3/06 Too bad today's GOP has so successfully removed these from our system of governance... too bad we have allowed them to do so... 3 Reply James, traveling 5/18/08 A quote of the day ended up here---- not that I oppose or believe in all the statements--- But hears another-- Liberty comes, and liberty goes roses are red, violets are blue. Is it up to you 2 Reply Mike, Norwalk 10/10/17 The quote, considering the source, is an in your face illustration of how backwards, upside-down and inside-out a once free people have become societies of helots, serfs and slaves. The representative - republican form of government's concept was to have servants administer individual sovereign's rights in a limited domain of life, liberty and property at natural law / common law - ALL POWER being held by the individual sovereign with a united administration ("We The People"). The servants have become demonic power brokers over a once land of the free and home of the brave. Douglas was a tyrannical power usurper, attempting to legislate his version, tastes, and desires from his life long ivory tower - continuation in office being essential to the preservation of a nation of un-checked / un-restrained power brokers. 1 Reply jim k, Austin 10/10/17 Logan has a pretty good idea. 3 Reply E Archer, NYC 10/10/17 Douglas is probably most famous for speaking profound truth about liberty while promoting and defending authoritarianism. Reply jim k, austin 2/4/21 SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Justice William O. Douglas quote is found in these categories: Despotism quotes Justice quotes Power quotes Tyranny quotes Usurpation quotes About Justice William O. Douglas Bio of Justice William O. Douglas Quotations by Justice William O. Douglas Books by/about Justice William O. Douglas Justice William O. Douglas videos Justice William O. Douglas on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Justice William O. Douglas