Government is an unnecessary evil. Human beings, when accustomed to taking responsibility for their own behavior, can cooperate on a read more

Government is an unnecessary evil. Human beings, when accustomed to taking responsibility for their own behavior, can cooperate on a basis of mutual trust and helpfulness.

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.

In the long-run every Government is the exact symbol of its People, with their wisdom and unwisdom; we have to read more

In the long-run every Government is the exact symbol of its People, with their wisdom and unwisdom; we have to say, Like People like Government.

Yesterday the greatest question was decided which was ever
debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor read more

Yesterday the greatest question was decided which was ever
debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be,
decided among men. A resolution was passed without one
dissenting colony, that those United Colonies are, and of right
ought to be, free and independent States.

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

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

That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.

That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.

A government of laws, and not of men.

A government of laws, and not of men.

Far more important to me is, that I should be loyal to what I regard as the law of my read more

Far more important to me is, that I should be loyal to what I regard as the law of my political life, which is this: a belief that that country is best governed, which is least governed ...

Applause, mingled with boos and hisses, is about all that the average voter is able or willing to contribute to read more

Applause, mingled with boos and hisses, is about all that the average voter is able or willing to contribute to public life.