Famously Said Random quote

Quotes about government

575 quotes from 235 people

Most readBy personPage 16 of 39

An infinite God ought to be able to protect himself, without going in partnership with State Legislatures.
Robert G. Ingersoll1833–1899Some Mistakes of Moses (1879) Section III, “The Politicians”.
It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government.
Andrew Jackson1767–1845Veto Message regarding the Bank of the United States (10 July 1832)
- Power
Deliberation and debate is the way you stir the soul of our democracy.
Jesse Jackson1941–2026Biography Civil Rights Activist, Minister, Journalist, Biography.com.
- America
- Democracy
While the Declaration was directed against an excess of authority, the Constitution was directed against anarchy.
Robert H. Jackson1892–1954The Struggle for Judicial Supremacy: A Study in Crisis in American Power Politics (1941), P. 8
- America
Our protection against all kinds of fanatics and extremists, none of whom can be trusted with unlimited power over others, lies not in their forbearance but in the limitations of our Constitution.
Robert H. Jackson1892–1954American Communications Association v. Douds, 339 U.S. 382, 439 (1950)
- Power
This Court is forever adding new stories to the temples of constitutional law, and the temples have a way of collapsing when one story too many is added.
Robert H. Jackson1892–1954Douglas v. Jeannette, 319 U.S. 157, 181 (1943)
- Laws
The Executive, except for recommendation and veto, has no legislative power.
Robert H. Jackson1892–1954Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, 343 U.S. 579 (1952) (concurring), at 654-655.
- Presidency
The choice is not between order and liberty. It is between liberty with order and anarchy without either.
Robert H. Jackson1892–1954Dissenting in Terminiello v. City of Chicago, 337 U.S. 1 (1949)
- Liberty
We set up government by consent of the governed, and the Bill of Rights denies those in power any legal opportunity to coerce that consent.
Robert H. Jackson1892–1954West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943), 319 U.S. 641
- Democracy
Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations⁠—entangling alliances with none.
Thomas Jefferson1743–1826Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address (1801)
- Politics
I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power.
Thomas Jefferson1743–1826Letter to William Charles Jarvis (28 September 1820)
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson1743–1826Letter to Thomas Cooper (29 November 1802)
- America
The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all.
Thomas Jefferson1743–1826Letter to Abigail Smith Adams from Paris while a Minister to France (22 February 1787), referring to Shay’s Rebellion. “Jefferson’s Service to the New Nation,” Library of Congress
…a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.
Thomas Jefferson1743–1826Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address (1801)
It is error alone that needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.
Thomas Jefferson1743–1826A letter to Horatio Spofford (1814)
- Truth & Lies