Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. read more

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.

The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern.

The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern.

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.

A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.

Relying on the government to protect your privacy is like asking a peeping tom to install your window blinds.

Relying on the government to protect your privacy is like asking a peeping tom to install your window blinds.

Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one read more

Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those others that have been tried from time to time.

Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed; too severe, seldom executed.

Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed; too severe, seldom executed.

A great writer is, so to speak, a second government in his country. And for that reason no regime has read more

A great writer is, so to speak, a second government in his country. And for that reason no regime has ever loved great writers, only minor ones.

Governments exist to protect the rights of minorities. The loved and the rich need no protection: they have many friends read more

Governments exist to protect the rights of minorities. The loved and the rich need no protection: they have many friends and few enemies.