The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as…

All power is lodged in, and consequently derived from, the people. We should wear it as a breastplate, and buckle it on as our…

— George Mason

The death-knell of the republic had rung as soon as the active power became lodged in the hands of those who sought, not to…

— Theodore Roosevelt

The essence of government is force, and most often that force is used to accomplish evil ends.

— Walter E. Williams

The essence of government is control, or the attempt to control.

— Benjamin Tucker

The essence of a government health care system - for people who have never lived under it and don't know - is waiting, waiting,…

— Mark Steyn

I believe that the essence of government lies with unceasing concern for the welfare and dignity and decency and innate integrity of life for…

— Lyndon B. Johnson

The essence of government is concern for the widest possible public interest; the essence of the humanities, it seems to me, is private study,…

— John Updike

All power in human hands is liable to be abused.

— James Madison

It will be remembered, that a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is solemnly enjoined by most of the state constitutions, and particularly by our…

— James Madison

There is no maxim, in my opinion, which is more liable to be misapplied, and which, therefore, more needs elucidation, than the current one,…

— James Madison

“It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government…

— James Madison

“Most governments strive to keep the masses from thinking; if the masses began to think the government would not be in power - rjs”

— rassool jibraeel snyman

The only limit to the oppression of government is the power with which the people show themselves capable of opposing it.

— Errico Malatesta

Climate change is not an excuse to give the federal government ever more power over private property and state resources.

— Luther Strange

Without the ability to talk about government power, there's no way for citizens to make sure this power isn't being misused.

— Aaron Swartz