The authority of government . . . can have no pure right over my person and property but what I concede to it. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
“This [...] government [...] has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man cam bend it… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
How does it become a man to behave towards the American government today? I answer, that he cannot without disgrace be associated… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The effect of a good government is to make life more valuable; of a bad one, to make it less valuable. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Is a democracy, such as we know it, the last improvement possible in government? Is it not possible to take a step… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
That government is best which governs not at all; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
So long as a man is faithful to himself, everything is in his favor, government, society, the very sun, moon, and stars. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If the machine of government is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another,… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
What shall we think of a government to which all the truly brave and just men in the land are enemies, standing… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
It is easier to sail many thousand miles through cold and storm and cannibals, in a government ship, with five hundred men… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
“That government is best which governs least"; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
There is a patent office at the seat of government of the universe, whose managers are as much interested in the dispersion… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
To speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government,… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If private men are obliged to perform the offices of government, to protect the weak and dispense justice, then the government becomes… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The newspapers, I perceive, devote some of their columns specially to politics or government without charge; and this, one would say, is… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
It is easier to sail many thousand miles through cold and storm and cannibals, ina government ship, with five hundred men and… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
f the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the machine of government, let it go, let it go; perchance it… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
After all, the practical reason why, when the power is once in the hands of the people, a majority are permitted, and… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Webster never goes behind government, and so cannot speak with authority about it. His words are wisdom to those legislators who contemplate… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
I heartily accept the motto, "That government is best which governs least"; and I should like to see it acted up to… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
I do not hesitate to say, that those who call themselves Abolitionists should at once effectually withdraw their support, both inperson and… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
In 1694 a law was passed "that every settler who deserted a town for fear of the Indians should forfeit all his… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
I do not remember anything which Confucius has said directly respecting man's "origin, purpose, and destiny." He was more practical than that.… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Is it not possible that an individual may be right and a government wrong? Are laws to be enforced simply because they… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Those who, while they disapprove of the character and measures of a government, yield to it their allegiance and support are undoubtedly… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient. The objections which have… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
It is not for a man to put himself in such an attitude to society, but to maintain himself in whatever attitude… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The only government that I recognize--and it matters not how few are at the head of it, or how small its army--is… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
I wish my countrymen to consider that whatever the human law may be, neither an individual nor a nation can ever commit… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
The newspapers are the ruling power. Any other government is reduced to a few marines at Fort Independence. If a man neglects… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
To one who habitually endeavors to contemplate the true state of things, the political state can hardly be said to have any… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share Image
If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
“Men say they know many things; But lo! they have taken wings, — The arts and sciences, And a thousand appliances; The wind that… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
“This spending of the best part of one's life earning money in order to enjoy a questionable liberty during the least valuable part of… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
A traveler who looks at things with an impartial eye may see what the oldest inhabitant has not observed. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
In proportion as our inward life fails, we go more constantly and desperately to the post office. You may depend on it, that the… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
The still youthful energies of the globe have only to be directed in their proper channel. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
Concord's little arch does not span all our fate, nor is what transpires under it law for the universe. — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
The lumberers rarely trouble themselves to put out their fires, such is the dampness of the primitive forest; and this is one cause, no… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
“When he has obtained those things which are necessary to life, there is another alternative than to obtain the superfluities; and that is, to… — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
Wealth is measured by the level of experience in all aspects of life — Henry David Thoreau Copy Share
![“This [...] government [...] has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man cam bend it to his will.” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/henry-david-thoreau-20_life_this-government-has-not-the-vitality-and_2078256.jpg)
