Our government... teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; read more

Our government... teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy.

Far more important to me is, that I should be loyal to what I regard as the law of my read more

Far more important to me is, that I should be loyal to what I regard as the law of my political life, which is this: a belief that that country is best governed, which is least governed ...

Good government is no substitute for self-government

Good government is no substitute for self-government

Ask not what the government can do for you. Ask why it doesn't.

Ask not what the government can do for you. Ask why it doesn't.

No government ought to be without censors; and where the press is free no one ever will.

No government ought to be without censors; and where the press is free no one ever will.

Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy driving taxicabs and cutting hair.

Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy driving taxicabs and cutting hair.

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.

The single most exciting thing you encounter in government is competence, because it's so rare.

The single most exciting thing you encounter in government is competence, because it's so rare.

A goverment that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away.

A goverment that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away.