GOVERNMENT QUOTES VI

quotations about government

The wheels of government go on, though wound up by different hands.

GEORGE BERKELEY

Alciphron; or, The Minute Philosopher in Seven Dialogues

Tags: George Berkeley


A government may endure for several ages, though the balance of power and the balance of property do not coincide. This chiefly happens where any rank or order of the state has acquired a large share in the property; but, from the original constitution of the government, has no share in the power. Under what pretence would any individual of that order assume authority in public affairs? As men are commonly much attached to their ancient government, it is not to be expected, that the public would ever favour such usurpations. But where the original constitution allows any share of power, though small, to an order of men who possess a large share of property, it is easy for them gradually to stretch their authority, and bring the balance of power to coincide with that of property.

DAVID HUME

"Of the First Principles of Government", Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary

Tags: David Hume


A scientific body to which had been confided the government of society would soon end by devoting itself no longer to science at all, but to quite another affair; and that affair, as in the case of all established powers, would be its own eternal perpetuation by rendering the society confided to its care ever more stupid and consequently more in need of its government and direction.

MIKHAIL BAKUNIN

God and the State

Tags: Mikhail Bakunin


Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.

GEORGE WASHINGTON

attributed

Tags: George Washington


The government's monopoly is what has allowed it to produce so bad a product for so long.

DAVID R. HENDERSON

The Joy of Freedom


A government is the complexion of the people--healthy as they are healthy, diseased as they are diseased.

AUSTIN O'MALLEY

Keystones of Thought

Tags: Austin O'Malley


For, as far as this life of mortals is concerned, which is spent and ended in a few days, what does it matter under whose government a dying man lives, if they who govern do not force him to impiety and iniquity?

ST. AUGUSTINE

The City of God

Tags: St. Augustine


While legislation can stimulate and encourage, the real creative ability which builds up and develops the country, and in general makes human existence more tolerable and life more complete, has to be supplied by the genius of the people themselves. The Government can supply no substitute for enterprise.

CALVIN COOLIDGE

speech, Jul. 4, 1924

Tags: Calvin Coolidge


Governments are nothing more or less than gigantic criminal conspiracies, overgrown street gangs with no claims whatsoever to legitimacy. They are funded by theft and the basis of all their operations is aggression. They're no more entitled to keep their activities secret than any other gaggle of murderers, rapists and thieves.

TOMAS L. KNAPP

"At war with the concept of secrecy itself", August 25, 2013


The proper function of a government is to make it easy for people to do good and difficult for them to do evil.

JIMMY CARTER

Why Not the Best?

Tags: Jimmy Carter


If you have a government of good laws and bad men, you will have a bad government. For bad men will not be bound by good laws.

ROBERT LEFEVRE

"Unlimited Government", Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph, Dec. 29, 1961


All government is cruel; for nothing is so cruel as impunity.

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

On the Rocks

Tags: George Bernard Shaw


That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.

THOMAS JEFFERSON

Tags: Thomas Jefferson


A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned -- this is the sum of good government.

THOMAS JEFFERSON

Inaugural Address, Mar. 4, 1801

Tags: Thomas Jefferson


Man, born in a family, is compelled to maintain society. Remove justice, and what are kingdoms but gangs of criminals on a large scale?

ST. AUGUSTINE

City of God

Tags: St. Augustine


Most traditional governments divide people, setting them against each other to weaken the society and make it governable.

BRIAN HERBERT & KEVIN J. ANDERSON

The Butlerian Jihad

Tags: Brian Herbert


Contempt for government undermines its ability to protect all citizens. Good government should be based on facts. It should invest in maintenance of basic services, whether infrastructure repairs or public health, and be prepared for crises. Above all, it should attract the best and most professional people to public service. Unless we believe that public service is an honorable calling, we will never motivate talented people to join or achieve high performances. But none of this is possible unless those in positions of public trust carry out their jobs honorably, with respect for the institutions and the public they serve.

ROSABETH MOSS KANTER

America the Principled

Tags: Rosabeth Moss Kanter


Where the people fear the government you have tyranny. Where the government fears the people you have liberty.

JOHN BASIL BARNHILL

"Indictment of Socialism No. 3", Barnhill-Tichenor Debate on Socialism


All free governments are managed by the combined wisdom and folly of the people.

JAMES A. GARFIELD

letter to B. A. Hinsdale, April 21, 1880


A wise Government seeks to provide the opportunity through which the best of individual achievement can be obtained, while at the same time it seeks to remove such obstruction, such unfairness as springs from selfish human motives.

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

Address at San Diego Exposition, Oct. 2, 1935

Tags: Franklin D. Roosevelt