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.

Government is not the doctor. It is the disease.

Government is not the doctor. It is the disease.

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.

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.

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.

Good government is no substitute for self-government.

Good government is no substitute for self-government.

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

A thousand years scarce serve to form a state;
An hour may lay it in the dust.

A thousand years scarce serve to form a state;
An hour may lay it in the dust.

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.