I know I have a “favorite quotations” page, but as I went through it today, I was amazed at how powerfully some of those quotes still hit me. So I figured, why not seek out some more of these and share them with everyone else! Here’s what I found and loved:
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
I have long believed taxpayers make better use of their money than the government ever could.
A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away.
In a state-run society the government promises you security. But it’s a false promise predicated on the idea that the opposite of security is risk. Nothing could be further from the truth. The opposite of security is insecurity, and the only way to overcome insecurity is to take risks. The gentle government that promises to hold your hand as you cross the street refuses to let go on the other side.
And now, the Thomas Jefferson marathon:
A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, 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.
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.
The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive.
I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.
Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.
An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens.
The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.
It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others; or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.
I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.
Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error.
And I’ve saved my favorite for last:
Don’t help me or serve me, don’t work for my happiness, my brothers — show me yours — show me that it is possible — show me your achievement — and the knowledge will give me courage for mine
– Ayn Rand