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.

Which government is best? That which teaches us to govern ourselves.

Which government is best? That which teaches us to govern ourselves.

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.

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

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

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. read more

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.

The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern.

The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern.

Government is a kind of legalized pillage.

Government is a kind of legalized pillage.

Nothing's more dull and negligent
Than an old, lazy government,
That knows no interest of state,
read more

Nothing's more dull and negligent
Than an old, lazy government,
That knows no interest of state,
But such as serves a present strait.

I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labour of the read more

I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labour of the industrious.