Not stones, nor wood, nor the art of artisans make a state; but
where men are who know how read more

Not stones, nor wood, nor the art of artisans make a state; but
where men are who know how to take care of themselves, these are
cities and walls.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

When I am abroad, I always make it a rule to never criticize or attack the government of my own read more

When I am abroad, I always make it a rule to never criticize or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home.

We Americans live in a nation where the medical-care system is second to none in the world, unless you count read more

We Americans live in a nation where the medical-care system is second to none in the world, unless you count maybe 25 or 30 little scuzzball countries like Scotland that we could vaporize in seconds if we felt like it.

It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.

It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.