The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people read more

The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.

Our political institutions work remarkably well. They are designed to clang against each other. The noise is democracy at work.

Our political institutions work remarkably well. They are designed to clang against each other. The noise is democracy at work.

Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far read more

Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.

Doing what's right isn't the problem. It's knowing what's right.

Doing what's right isn't the problem. It's knowing what's right.

The worst thing in this world, next to anarchy, is government.

The worst thing in this world, next to anarchy, is government.

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.

Truth is the glue that holds government together. Compromise is the oil that makes governments go.

Truth is the glue that holds government together. Compromise is the oil that makes governments go.

A government is the only known vessel that leaks from the top.

A government is the only known vessel that leaks from the top.

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.