Power always has to be kept in check; power exercised in secret, especially under the cloak of national security, is read more

Power always has to be kept in check; power exercised in secret, especially under the cloak of national security, is doubly dangerous.

That government is best which governs least.

That government is best which governs least.

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.

I don't know exactly what democracy is. But we need more of it.

I don't know exactly what democracy is. But we need more of it.

Property rights are not the rights of property; they are the rights of humans with regard to property. They are read more

Property rights are not the rights of property; they are the rights of humans with regard to property. They are a particular kind of human right.

I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.

I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.

Given that some social processes must convey inherent constraints, the choice is among various mixtures of persuasion, force, and cultural read more

Given that some social processes must convey inherent constraints, the choice is among various mixtures of persuasion, force, and cultural inducement. The less of one, the more of the others. The degree of freedom that is possible is therefore tied to the extent to which people respond to persuasion or inducement.

Why do grandparents and grandchildren get along so well? They have the same enemy -- the mother.

Why do grandparents and grandchildren get along so well? They have the same enemy -- the mother.

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and read more

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important.