States are great engines moving slowly.

States are great engines moving slowly.

A government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical read more

A government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims.

The primary function of the government is - and here I am quoting directly from the U.S. Constitution - "to read more

The primary function of the government is - and here I am quoting directly from the U.S. Constitution - "to spew out paper."

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.

Only a government that is rich and safe can afford to be a democracy, for democracy is the most expensive read more

Only a government that is rich and safe can afford to be a democracy, for democracy is the most expensive and nefarious kind of government ever heard of on earth.

Applause, mingled with boos and hisses, is about all that the average voter is able or willing to contribute to read more

Applause, mingled with boos and hisses, is about all that the average voter is able or willing to contribute to public life.

Wherever you have an efficient government you have a dictatorship.

Wherever you have an efficient government you have a dictatorship.

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

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

In a state-run society the government promises you security. But it's a false promise predicated on the idea that the read more

In a state-run society the government promises you security. But it's a false promise predicated on the idea that the opposite of security is risk. Nothing could be further from the truth. The opposite of security is insecurity, and the only way to overcome insecurity is to take risks. The gentle government that promises to hold your hand as you cross the street refuses to let go on the other side.