Quotes and anectdotes from the wise to the foolish, and the courageous to the drunk

government

Here is my first principle of foreign policy: good government at home. 7 more quotes from William E. Gladstone

A Conservative Government is an organized hypocrisy. 75 quotes from Benjamin Disraeli

Democracy is not so much a form of government as a set of principles. 19 other wisdom & wit from Woodrow Wilson

If Liberia has failed, then, it is no evidence of the failure of the Negro in government. It is merely evidence of the failure of slavery. 6 views from Carter G. Woodson

If there are men in this country big enough to own the government of the United States, they are going to own it. 19 sayings from Woodrow Wilson

It is the duty of government to make it difficult for people to do wrong, easy to do right. 7 thoughts from William E. Gladstone

No Government can be long secure without a formidable Opposition. 75 other quotes from Benjamin Disraeli

That fatal drollery called a representative government. 75 sayings from Benjamin Disraeli

The goal to strive for is a poor government but a rich people. 2 quotes from Andrew Johnson

The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity. 2 thoughts from Martin Van Buren

Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed too severe, seldom executed. 96 quotes from Benjamin Franklin

There are three species of government: republican, monarchical, and despotic. 10 quotes from Charles de Secondat

A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government. 10 other quotes from Edward Abbey

All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter. 37 views from Edmund Burke

As long as I don't write about the government, religion, politics, and other institutions, I am free to print anything. 3 more wisdom & wit from Pierre Beaumarchais

Even to observe neutrality you must have a strong government. 13 other sayings from Alexander Hamilton

If everybody in this town connected with politics had to leave town because of chasing women and drinking, you would have no government. 9 quotes from Barry Goldwater

It's not tyranny we desire it's a just, limited, federal government. 13 wisdom & wit from Alexander Hamilton

No government can help the destinies of people who insist in putting sectional and class consciousness ahead of general weal. 24 more quotes from Franklin D. Roosevelt

No more distressing moment can ever face a British government than that which requires it to come to a hard, fast and specific decision. 4 other wisdom & wit from Barbara Tuchman

Nothing turns out to be so oppressive and unjust as a feeble government. 37 wisdom & wit from Edmund Burke

Say what you like about my bloody murderous government,' I says, 'but don't insult me poor bleedin' country. 10 other wisdom & wit from Edward Abbey

The income tax created more criminals than any other single act of government. 9 other sayings from Barry Goldwater

The people's government, made for the people, made by the people, and answerable to the people. 12 wisdom & wit from Daniel Webster

The United States Constitution has proved itself the most marvelously elastic compilation of rules of government ever written. 24 more thoughts from Franklin D. Roosevelt

There is no kind of dishonesty into which otherwise good people more easily and frequently fall than that of defrauding the government. 96 more wisdom & wit from Benjamin Franklin

Whatever government is not a government of laws, is a despotism, let it be called what it may. 12 more quotes from Daniel Webster

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor. 24 more quotes from James Russell Lowell

Government is not reason it is not eloquent it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. 30 other sayings from George Washington

Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth. 47 other quotes from Abraham Lincoln

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil in its worst state, an intolerable one. 31 quotes from Thomas Paine

No man is good enough to govern another man without the other's consent. 47 more sayings from Abraham Lincoln

The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments. 30 views from George Washington

The people will save their government, if the government itself will allow them. 47 quotes from Abraham Lincoln

The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next. 47 more thoughts from Abraham Lincoln

A government is invigorated when each of us is willing to participate in shaping the future of this nation. 6 other wisdom & wit from Barbara Jordan

Democracy is the form of government that gives every man the right to be his own oppressor. 24 other quotes from James Russell Lowell

Every Indian outbreak that I have ever known has resulted from broken promises and broken treaties by the government. 7 more views from Buffalo Bill

I was determined that no British government should be brought down by the action of two tarts. 6 views from Harold MacMillan

It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment. 13 other views from Ansel Adams

It is the duty of Her Majesty's government neither to flap nor to falter. 6 quotes from Harold MacMillan

Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government. 30 more quotes from George Washington

Of all tasks of government the most basic is to protect its citizens against violence. 2 thoughts from John Foster Dulles

Secrecy, being an instrument of conspiracy, ought never to be the system of a regular government. 7 quotes from Jeremy Bentham

Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best stage, is but a necessary evil in its worst state an intolerable one. 31 sayings from Thomas Paine

The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government. 30 sayings from George Washington

The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. 30 other quotes from George Washington

There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state. 32 other quotes from Michel de Montaigne

When man lives under government, he is fallen, his worth is gone, and his nature tarnished. 2 other quotes from Adam Weishaupt

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. 27 more sayings from James Madison

It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their own selfish purposes. 9 more wisdom & wit from Andrew Jackson

Nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced. 105 wisdom & wit from Albert Einstein

The people are the government, administering it by their agents they are the government, the sovereign power. 9 more quotes from Andrew Jackson

A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both. 27 more views from James Madison

A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person. 27 thoughts from James Madison

Above all we should not forget that government is an evil, a usurpation upon the private judgement and individual conscience of mankind. 5 more views from William Godwin

Communism is a hateful thing, and a menace to peace and organized government. 6 other quotes from Grover Cleveland

Freedom only for the members of the government, only for the members of the Party - though they are quite numerous - is no freedom at all. 4 other quotes from Rosa Luxemburg

Good government is the outcome of private virtue. 3 wisdom & wit from John Jay Chapman

I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated. 17 thoughts from Chief Joseph

Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government. 27 views from James Madison

The essence of Government is power and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse. 27 quotes from James Madison

The lesson should be constantly enforced that though the people support the Government, Government should not support the people. 6 more thoughts from Grover Cleveland

The rights of persons, and the rights of property, are the objects, for the protection of which Government was instituted. 27 sayings from James Madison

There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. 9 other thoughts from Andrew Jackson

Though the people support the government the government should not support the people. 6 more quotes from Grover Cleveland

To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea. 27 other wisdom & wit from James Madison

Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government. 70 thoughts from Thomas Jefferson

Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories. 70 more wisdom & wit from Thomas Jefferson

History, in general, only informs us of what bad government is. 70 sayings from Thomas Jefferson

I own that I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive. 70 other views from Thomas Jefferson

It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. 70 wisdom & wit from Thomas Jefferson

Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made. 16 views from Otto von Bismarck

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. 70 more quotes from Thomas Jefferson

No government ought to be without censors and where the press is free no one ever will. 70 other wisdom & wit from Thomas Jefferson

That government is the strongest of which every man feels himself a part. 70 other quotes from Thomas Jefferson

The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government. 70 more quotes from Thomas Jefferson

The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground. 70 sayings from Thomas Jefferson

The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind. 70 other wisdom & wit from Thomas Jefferson

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive. 70 quotes from Thomas Jefferson

When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty. 70 sayings from Thomas Jefferson

Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government. 70 more quotes from Thomas Jefferson

A government must not waiver once it has chosen it's course. It must not look to the left or right but go forward. 16 other quotes from Otto von Bismarck

Aggression is simply another name for government. 2 views from Benjamin Tucker

Government is essentially immoral. 20 sayings from Herbert Spencer

I never knew a government yet that wanted to do anything. 9 more quotes from Anthony Trollope

I would have been glad to have lived under my wood side, and to have kept a flock of sheep, rather than to have undertaken this government. 5 sayings from Oliver Cromwell

If it were not for the government, we should have nothing to laugh at in France. 11 thoughts from Nicolas Chamfort

Of the various forms of government which have prevailed in the world, an hereditary monarchy seems to present the fairest scope for ridicule. 14 thoughts from Edward Gibbon

Old forms of government finally grow so oppressive that they must be thrown off even at the risk of reigns of terror. 20 quotes from Herbert Spencer

The government is tottering. We must deal it the death blow an any cost. To delay action is the same as death. 14 sayings from Vladimir Lenin

The office of government is not to confer happiness, but to give men the opportunity to work out happiness for themselves. 11 other thoughts from William Ellery Channing

The second office in the government is honorable and easy the first is but a splendid misery. 70 quotes from Thomas Jefferson

A politician is a man who understands government. A statesman is a politician who's been dead for 15 years. 26 thoughts from Harry S. Truman

A President needs political understanding to run the government, but he may be elected without it. 26 other sayings from Harry S. Truman

Democracy means government by the uneducated, while aristocracy means government by the badly educated. 52 other sayings from Gilbert K. Chesterton

For Forms of Government let fools contest whatever is best administered is best. 43 quotes from Alexander Pope

Freedom of opinion can only exist when the government thinks itself secure. 45 views from Bertrand Russell

My brother Bob doesn't want to be in government - he promised Dad he'd go straight. 46 more quotes from John F. Kennedy

The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor. 16 quotes from Hubert H. Humphrey

The most cogent reason for restricting the interference of government is the great evil of adding unnecessarily to its power. 11 more thoughts from John Stuart Mill

The Negro revolution is controlled by foxy white liberals, by the Government itself. But the Black Revolution is controlled only by God. 21 more quotes from Malcolm X

The Soviet government is the most realistic regime in the world - no ideals. 14 other views from Golda Meir

The weather is like the government, always in the wrong. 7 thoughts from Jerome K. Jerome

When decisions on nuclear power stations and runways are delayed and the government dilly-dallies, people think they aren't important. 22 quotes from James Dyson

When you have an efficient government, you have a dictatorship. 26 other quotes from Harry S. Truman

The worst thing in this world, next to anarchy, is government. 58 other thoughts from Henry Ward Beecher

By a continuing process of inflation, government can confiscate, secretly and unobserved, an important part of the wealth of their citizens. 10 thoughts from John Maynard Keynes

Government in the U.S. today is a senior partner in every business in the country. 15 wisdom & wit from Norman Cousins

Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else. 3 quotes from Frederic Bastiat

I work for a Government I despise for ends I think criminal. 10 other quotes from John Maynard Keynes

There is a higher law than the law of government. That's the law of conscience. 8 wisdom & wit from Stokely Carmichael

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. 115 more quotes from George Bernard Shaw

If the machine of government is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law. 117 wisdom & wit from Henry David Thoreau

That government is best which governs least. 117 more wisdom & wit from Henry David Thoreau

A democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax can escape the obligation to pay it. 19 thoughts from Alexis de Tocqueville

Acquire a government over your ideas, that they may come down when they are called, and depart when they are bidden. 3 sayings from Isaac Watts

Democracy is a form of government that substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few. 115 quotes from George Bernard Shaw

Fascism should rightly be called Corporatism, as it is the merger of corporate and government power. 8 quotes from Benito Mussolini

How does it become a man to behave towards the American government today? I answer, that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it. 117 wisdom & wit from Henry David Thoreau

In other words, a democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax can escape the obligation to pay it. 19 other quotes from Alexis de Tocqueville

Our whole constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men's minds. 2 quotes from Thurgood Marshall

The art of government is the organisation of idolatry. 115 sayings from George Bernard Shaw

The universe never did make sense I suspect it was built on government contract. 14 other views from Robert A. Heinlein

This used to be a government of checks and balances. Now it's all checks and no balances. 3 quotes from Gracie Allen

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison. 117 quotes from Henry David Thoreau

Democracy is an abuse of statistics. 7 quotes from Jorge Luis Borges

Government has no other end, but the preservation of property. 15 sayings from John Locke

I am sometimes a fox and sometimes a lion. The whole secret of government lies in knowing when to be the one or the other. 50 thoughts from Napoleon Bonaparte

If the law is upheld only by government officials, then all law is at an end. 20 quotes from Herbert Hoover

It is just as important that business keep out of government as that government keep out of business. 20 other views from Herbert Hoover

When there is a lack of honor in government, the morals of the whole people are poisoned. 20 sayings from Herbert Hoover

Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage. 60 other quotes from H. L. Mencken

Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be. 13 quotes from Sydney J. Harris

All government, of course, is against liberty. 60 other quotes from H. L. Mencken

Every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under. 60 other quotes from H. L. Mencken

Government is an association of men who do violence to the rest of us. 21 views from Leo Tolstoy

I believe that all government is evil, and that trying to improve it is largely a waste of time. 60 other sayings from H. L. Mencken

I don't look for much to come out of government ownership as long as we have Democrats and Republicans. 27 quotes from Kin Hubbard

I would not give half a guinea to live under one form of government other than another. It is of no moment to the happiness of an individual. 63 wisdom & wit from Samuel Johnson

It is perfectly true that that government is best which governs least. It is equally true that that government is best which provides most. 8 more quotes from Walter Lippmann

Where might is mixed with wit, there is too good an accord in a government. 9 quotes from Elizabeth I

But let us remember, at the same time, government is sacred, and not to be trifled with. 2 views from Jonathan Mayhew

Let the people think they govern and they will be governed. 15 more quotes from William Penn

Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest. 16 thoughts from Denis Diderot

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. 18 sayings from John Adams

A government of laws, and not of men. 18 sayings from John Adams

I think that people want peace so much that one of these days government had better get out of their way and let them have it. 33 other quotes from Dwight D. Eisenhower

Morals are in all countries the result of legislation and government they are not African or Asian or European: they are good or bad. 16 wisdom & wit from Denis Diderot

The Constitution is not neutral. It was designed to take the government off the backs of people. 6 views from William O. Douglas

The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries. 18 views from John Adams

The government is us we are the government, you and I. 36 other sayings from Theodore Roosevelt

The happiness of society is the end of government. 18 views from John Adams

We must not tolerate oppressive government or industrial oligarchy in the form of monopolies and cartels. 3 sayings from Henry A. Wallace

Ancient Rome declined because it had a Senate, now what's going to happen to us with both a House and a Senate? 57 quotes from Will Rogers

For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery. 19 views from Jonathan Swift

It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried. 74 quotes from Winston Churchill

Loyalty to the country always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it. 98 other thoughts from Mark Twain

Ohio claims they are due a president as they haven't had one since Taft. Look at the United States, they have not had one since Lincoln. 57 quotes from Will Rogers

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. 98 other sayings from Mark Twain

The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. 74 quotes from Winston Churchill

This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer. 57 quotes from Will Rogers

To hear some men talk of the government, you would suppose that Congress was the law of gravitation, and kept the planets in their places. 14 quotes from Wendell Phillips

We have the best government that money can buy. 98 views from Mark Twain

We live under a government of men and morning newspapers. 14 thoughts from Wendell Phillips

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. 74 other quotes from Winston Churchill

A government, for protecting business only, is but a carcass, and soon falls by its own corruption and decay. 13 thoughts from Amos Bronson Alcott

A tiny and closed fraternity of privileged men, elected by no one, and enjoying a monopoly sanctioned and licensed by government. 3 quotes from Spiro T. Agnew

An ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination. 78 views from Voltaire

Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for. 57 thoughts from Will Rogers

By definition, a government has no conscience. Sometimes it has a policy, but nothing more. 52 sayings from Albert Camus

Every form of government tends to perish by excess of its basic principle. 25 wisdom & wit from Will Durant

Experience teaches us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government's purposes are beneficent. 7 wisdom & wit from Louis D. Brandeis

I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. 57 wisdom & wit from Will Rogers

If you make any money, the government shoves you in the creek once a year with it in your pockets, and all that don't get wet you can keep. 57 quotes from Will Rogers

In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one class of citizens to give to another. 78 quotes from Voltaire

It's a good thing we don't get all the government we pay for. 57 thoughts from Will Rogers

It's easy being a humorist when you've got the whole government working for you. 57 sayings from Will Rogers

The art of government is to make two-thirds of a nation pay all it possibly can pay for the benefit of the other third. 78 more sayings from Voltaire

The best government is a benevolent tyranny tempered by an occasional assassination. 78 views from Voltaire

The ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination. 78 sayings from Voltaire

There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you. 57 more wisdom & wit from Will Rogers

Things in our country run in spite of government, not by aid of it. 57 wisdom & wit from Will Rogers

Today it is not big business that we have to fear. It is big government. 14 more quotes from Wendell Phillips