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Quotes about government

575 quotes from 235 people

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Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.
Reinhold Niebuhr1892–1971The Children of Light and The Children of Darkness (1944)
- Democracy
- Justice
The state lieth in all languages of good and evil; and whatever it saith it lieth; and whatever it hath it hath stolen.
Friedrich Nietzsche1844–1900Thus Spoke Zarathustra (1883), Part I, Chapter 11, Thomas Common translationIn context
- Truth & Lies
A state, is called the coldest of all cold monsters. Coldly lieth it also; and this lie creepeth from its mouth: “I, the state, am the people.”
Friedrich Nietzsche1844–1900Thus Spoke Zarathustra (1883–1885), First Part, XIIn context
When the president does it that means that it is not illegal.
Richard Nixon1913–1994Interview with David Frost (May 19, 1977); printed in The New York Times (May 20, 1977), p. A16
- Laws
- Presidency
A little government and a little luck are necessary in life, but only a fool trusts either of them.
POP. J. O'Rourke1947–2022
- Luck
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
POP. J. O'Rourke1947–2022Parliament of Whores (1991), pp. xviii-xix.
Every government is a parliament of whores. The trouble is, in a democracy, the whores are us.
POP. J. O'Rourke1947–2022Parliament of Whores (1991)
- Democracy
Authority has always attracted the lowest elements in the human race. All through history mankind has been bullied by scum.
POP. J. O'Rourke1947–2022Parliament of Whores (1991)
- Power
The best government is that which governs least.
John L. O'Sullivan1813–1895Often credited to Thomas Paine
Democracy is a garden that has to be tended.
Barack Obamaborn 1961Remarks at a Qualtrics conference, Salt Lake City (6 March 2019)
- Democracy
If Selma taught us anything, it’s that our work is never done. The American experiment in self-government gives work and purpose to each generation.
Barack Obamaborn 1961Selma 50th Anniversary Address (2015)
- America
- Democracy
Mandela demonstrated that action and ideas are not enough. No matter how right, they must be chiseled into law and institutions.
Barack Obamaborn 1961Eulogy of Nelson Mandela (December 2013)
- Ideas
- Laws
If you’re tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life. If something needs fixing, lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If you’re disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself.
Barack Obamaborn 1961Barack Obama’s Farewell Address (2017)
Democracy does not require uniformity. Our founders quarreled and compromised, and expected us to do the same. But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity⁠—the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one.
Barack Obamaborn 1961Barack Obama’s Farewell Address (2017)
- Democracy
Our Constitution is a remarkable, beautiful gift. But it’s really just a piece of parchment. It has no power on its own. We, the people, give it power⁠—with our participation, and the choices we make.
Barack Obamaborn 1961Barack Obama’s Farewell Address (2017)
- Democracy
- Responsibility