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

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

Franklin Roosevelt stands like a sharply formed rock in a shapeless sea.
spoken on Book TV by a Jackson biographer.

Franklin Roosevelt stands like a sharply formed rock in a shapeless sea.
spoken on Book TV by a Jackson biographer.

The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them read more

The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.

So long as governments set the example of killing their enemies, private individuals will occasionally kill theirs.

So long as governments set the example of killing their enemies, private individuals will occasionally kill theirs.

The worst government is the most moral. One composed of cynics is often very tolerant and humane. But when fanatics read more

The worst government is the most moral. One composed of cynics is often very tolerant and humane. But when fanatics are on top there is no limit to oppression.

By union the smallest states thrive, by discord the greatest are
destroyed.
[Lat., Concordia res parvae crescunt, discordia read more

By union the smallest states thrive, by discord the greatest are
destroyed.
[Lat., Concordia res parvae crescunt, discordia maximae
dilabantur.]

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

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

Be united--united--united.
[Ger., Seid einig--einig--einig.]

Be united--united--united.
[Ger., Seid einig--einig--einig.]

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.