Government is an association of men who do violence to the rest of us.

Government is an association of men who do violence to the rest of us.

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

Every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under.

Every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under.

Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants. Men have a right that these wants should read more

Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants. Men have a right that these wants should be provided for by this wisdom.

Good government is no substitute for self-government

Good government is no substitute for self-government

A thousand years scarce serve to form a state;
An hour may lay it in the dust.

A thousand years scarce serve to form a state;
An hour may lay it in the dust.

A government is the only known vessel that leaks from the top.

A government is the only known vessel that leaks from the top.

The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, read more

The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.

Talk is cheap - except when Congress does it.

Talk is cheap - except when Congress does it.