Government Quotes

The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.

Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.

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

Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it.

It's not tyranny we desire; it's a just, limited, federal government.

The government is us; we are the government, you and I.

For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery.

To rule is easy, to govern difficult.

I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University.

Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.

I believe there is something out there watching us. Unfortunately, it's the government.

By definition, a government has no conscience. Sometimes it has a policy, but nothing more.

It's not the voting that's democracy; it's the counting.

Majority rule only works if you're also considering individual rights. Because you can't have five wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for supper.

The worst evils which mankind has ever had to endure were inflicted by bad governments.

The genius of our ruling class is that it has kept a majority of the people from ever questioning the inequity of a system where most people drudge along, paying heavy taxes for which they get nothing in return.

The essence of good government is trust.

No man is good enough to govern another man without the other's consent.

Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage.