To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people is a chimerical idea.

What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.

When man lives under government he is fallen his worth is gone and his nature tarnished.

The diversity in the faculties of men from which the rights of property originate is not less an insuperable obstacle to an uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government.

I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated.

The new rage is to say that the government is the cause of all our problems and if only we had no government we'd have no problems. I can tell you that contradicts evidence history and common sense.

As president Reagan worked very well with Democrats to do big things. It is true that he worked to reduce the size of government and cut federal taxes and he eliminated many regulations but he also raised taxes when necessary.

I feel good because I believe I have made progress in rebuilding the people's trust in their government.

We are a forward-looking people and we must have a forward-looking government.

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men you must first enable the government to control the governed and in the next place oblige it to control itself.