Who will guard the guards themselves?

What it means

Juvenal asked it about hired watchmen who could be bribed. It became the classic question about anyone with power over others. Every authority needs a check of its own.

The source

"Who will guard the guards themselves?" Juvenal said it in Satires 6.347-348. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.

"sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"

Original Latin, Satires 6.347-348. Text read at thelatinlibrary.com.

Who said it

Juvenal (c. 55–138 AD). Rome's sharpest satirist. He mocked the city's greed and vanity and left us a sound mind in a sound body.

Questions

What does "Who will guard the guards themselves?" mean?

Juvenal asked it about hired watchmen who could be bribed. It became the classic question about anyone with power over others. Every authority needs a check of its own.

Who said "Who will guard the guards themselves?"?

Juvenal (c. 55–138 AD). Source: Satires 6.347-348.

What is the original Latin?

sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Who will guard the guards themselves?" on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Who will guard the guards themselves?" (Juvenal, Satires 6.347-348, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/who-will-guard-the-guards-themselves