Famous Quotes About Government

Posted: 2/21/2014  Updated: 9/29/2016, 4/13/2015

Update Of 9/29/2016

But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.

James Madison

The Federalist No. 51

February 6, 1788

Update Of 4/13/15

How could I forget to add Frederic Bastiat:

“The State is the great fiction through which everyone endeavours to live at the expense of everyone else.”

(The State in Journal des débats (1848) par. 5.20)

Original & Updated

1. “Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one”
   (Thomas Paine, 1776, Common Sense)
2. That government is best which governs least!
   (Source in question)

These two principles should be taught and explained to all children of the world!

The United States was founded on these principles, but has long since abandoned them!