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The way people in democracies think of the government as something different from themselves is a real handicap. And, of course, sometimes the government confirms their opinion.

If human beings are fundamentally good, no government is necessary if they are fundamentally bad, any government, being composed of human beings, would be bad also.

Americans no longer look to government for economic security rather, they look to their portfolios.

Our nation is built on the bedrock principle that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Government alone cannot solve the problems we deal with in our correctional facilities, treatment centers, homeless shelters and crisis centers - we need our faith-based and community partners.

Bureaucracy gives birth to itself and then expects maternity benefits.

The mistakes made by Congress wouldn't be so bad if the next Congress did not keep trying to correct them.

There are three species of government: republican, monarchical, and despotic.

Government is an unnecessary evil. Human beings, when accustomed to taking responsibility for their own behavior, can cooperate on a basis of mutual trust and helpfulness.

The essence of good government is trust.

But no one has yet succeeded in reducing the size or scope of the federal government.

We live under a government of men and morning newspapers.

As a governor, I am naturally inclined to focus on the domestic side of protecting the United States.

But let us remember, at the same time, government is sacred, and not to be trifled with.

If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy.

When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty.

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.

This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it.

Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up, and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a most valuable - a most sacred right - a right, which we hope and believe, is to liberate the world.