Most of the search results I turn up attribute it to Thomas Jefferson. A similar quote, "Dictators ride to and fro upon tigers from which they dare not dismoun

Most of the search results I turn up attribute it to Thomas Jefferson. A similar quote, "Dictators ride to and fro upon tigers from which they dare not dismount." is attributed to Winston Churchill, but apparently his quote derives from even older sayings from China (… he who rides a tiger cannot dismount …, … to bind a tiger is easy, the trouble is to let him loose …, etc). "The More You Know" ~ PSA jingle sounds ~ :)