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Quotes about government

575 quotes from 235 people

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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
Let us be aware that while they preach the supremacy of the state, declare its omnipotence over individual man, and predict its eventual domination of all peoples on the Earth, they are the focus of evil in the modern world.
Ronald Reagan1911–2004The Evil Empire (1983)
- Good & Evil
“Rule Forty-two. All persons more than a mile high to leave the court.”
Lewis Carroll1832–1898Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865), Chapter XIIIn context
- Comedy
- Laws
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
William Shakespeare1564–1616Hamlet (c. 1600), Act I, Scene IV, spoken by MarcellusIn context
“If the law supposes that,” said Mr. Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically in both hands, “the law is a ass⁠—a idiot. If that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is, that his eye may be opened by experience⁠—by experience.”
Charles Dickens1812–1870Oliver Twist (1838), Chapter LIIn context
- Clever Jabs
- Laws
The one great principle of the English law is to make business for itself.
Charles Dickens1812–1870Bleak House (1853), Chapter XXXIXIn context
- Clever Jabs
- Laws
You have clearly proved, that ignorance, idleness, and vice, are the proper ingredients for qualifying a legislator; that laws are best explained, interpreted, and applied, by those whose interest and abilities lie in perverting, confounding, and eluding them.
Jonathan Swift1667–1745Gulliver’s Travels (1726), Part II: A Voyage to Brobdingnag, Chapter VIIn context
There was a society of men among us, bred up from their youth in the art of proving, by words multiplied for the purpose, that white is black, and black is white, according as they are paid.
Jonathan Swift1667–1745Gulliver’s Travels (1726), Part IV: A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnhnms, Chapter VIn context
It is a maxim among these lawyers that whatever has been done before, may legally be done again: and therefore they take special care to record all the decisions formerly made against common justice, and the general reason of mankind. These, under the name of precedents, they produce as authorities to justify the most iniquitous opinions; and the judges never fail of directing accordingly.
Jonathan Swift1667–1745Gulliver’s Travels (1726), Part IV: A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnhnms, Chapter VIn context
- Justice
- Laws
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
There thou mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog’s obeyed in office.
William Shakespeare1564–1616King Lear (c. 1606), Act IV, Scene VI, spoken by LearIn context
- Power
The world is still deceiv’d with ornament.
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt
But, being season’d with a gracious voice,
Obscures the show of evil?
William Shakespeare1564–1616The Merchant of Venice (c. 1597), Act III, Scene II, spoken by BassanioIn context
- Laws
- Truth & Lies
Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and political greatness and wisdom meet in one, and those commoner natures who pursue either to the exclusion of the other are compelled to stand aside, cities will never have rest from their evils,⁠—nor the human race, as I believe
Plato429–349 BCThe Republic (c. 375 BC), Book VIn context
- Leadership
- Philosophy
Democracy, which is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder, and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike.
Plato429–349 BCThe Republic (c. 375 BC), Book VIIIIn context
- Democracy