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Quotes about government

575 quotes from 235 people

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Britain is basically Pompeii if Pompeii had voted for the volcano.
John Oliverborn 1977Last Week Tonight (2014–present), On Brexit.
A totalitarian state is in effect a theocracy, and its ruling caste, in order to keep its position, has to be thought of as infallible.
George Orwell1903–1950The Prevention of Literature (1946)
- Power
The fallacy is to believe that under a dictatorial government you can be free inside.
George Orwell1903–1950“As I Please,” Tribune (28 April 1944)
- Freedom
A society becomes totalitarian when its structure becomes flagrantly artificial: that is, when its ruling class has lost its function but succeeds in clinging to power by force or fraud.
George Orwell1903–1950The Prevention of Literature (1946)
- Power
Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
Thomas Paine1737–1809Common Sense (January 10, 1776)In context
From such beginnings of governments, what could be expected, but a continual system of war and extortion?
Thomas Paine1737–1809
Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness
Thomas Paine1737–1809Common Sense (1776), Part 1In context
Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.
Thomas Paine1737–1809Common Sense (1776), Part 1In context
- Clever Jabs
There is something very absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island.
Thomas Paine1737–1809Common Sense (1776), Part 2In context
- America
In America the law is king. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other.
Thomas Paine1737–1809Common Sense (1776), Part 2In context
We have depended on government for so much for so long that we as people have become less vigilant of our liberties.
Ron Paulborn 1935Speech in the House of Representatives, September 17, 1997
- Liberty
It is my considered judgment that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not.
Mike Penceborn 1959Official statement prior to engaging in his role in the counting of the votes of the Electoral College (6 January 2021)
- Democracy
- Voting
Democracy is a process by which people are free to choose the man who will get the blame.
Laurence J. Peter1919–1990
- Democracy
Bureaucracy defends the status quo long past the time when the quo has lost its status.
Laurence J. Peter1919–1990Peter’s Quotations: Ideas for Our Time (1977), p. 83
Laws are partly formed for the sake of good men, in order to instruct them how they may live on friendly terms with one another, and partly for the sake of those who refuse to be instructed, whose spirit cannot be subdued, or softened, or hindered from plunging into evil.
Plato429–349 BC
- Laws
- Morality