If you want to understand your government, don't begin by reading the Constitution. (It conveys precious little of the flavor read more

If you want to understand your government, don't begin by reading the Constitution. (It conveys precious little of the flavor of today's statecraft.) Instead, read selected portions of the Washington telephone directory containing listings for all the organizations with titles beginning with the word National.

Well, will anybody deny now that the Government at Washington, as
regards its own people, is the strongest government read more

Well, will anybody deny now that the Government at Washington, as
regards its own people, is the strongest government in the world
at this hour? And for this simple reason, that it is based on
the will, and the good will, of an instructed people.

There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you

There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you

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.

My experience in government is that when things are non-controversial and beautifully coordinated, there is not much going on.

My experience in government is that when things are non-controversial and beautifully coordinated, there is not much going on.

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.

Our political institutions work remarkably well. They are designed to clang against each other. The noise is democracy at work.

Our political institutions work remarkably well. They are designed to clang against each other. The noise is democracy at work.

The true art of government consists in not governing too much.

The true art of government consists in not governing too much.

The nearest approach to immortality on earth is a government bureau.

The nearest approach to immortality on earth is a government bureau.