Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot (1727–1781)

... in [Turgot] we know not which most to admire, the comprehensiveness of his mind, or the benevolence and purity of his heart. In his Distribution of Riches, and other general works, and in the great principles developed in his smaller work we admire the gigantic stature of his mind. But when we see that mind thwarted, harrassed, maligned and forced to exert all it's power in the details of provincial administration, we regret to see a Hercules laying his shoulder to the wheel of an ox-cart. The sound principles which he establishes in his particular as well as general works are a valuable legacy to ill-governed man, and will spread from their provincial limits to the great circle of mankind ... (TJ to Dupont, 29 November 1813)

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbc3&fileName=rbc0001_2007jeffca...… (mere)