--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Government is actually the worst failure…" description: "\"Government is actually the worst failure of civilized man. There has never been a really good one, and even those that are most tolerable are arbitrary..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84a/anonymous-1_civilized_government-is-actually-the-worst-failure_2477296.jpg" --- # Government is actually the worst failure of civilized man… ![“Government is actually the worst failure of civilized man. There has never been a really good one, and even those that are most tolerable are arbitrary, cruel, grasping and unintelligent.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84a/anonymous-1_civilized_government-is-actually-the-worst-failure_2477296.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84a/anonymous-1_civilized_government-is-actually-the-worst-failure_2477296.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84a/anonymous-1_civilized_government-is-actually-the-worst-failure_2477296.jpg) > “Government is actually the worst failure of civilized man. There has never been a really good one, and even those that are most tolerable are arbitrary, cruel, grasping and unintelligent.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that governments are fundamentally flawed, often unjust, and driven by self‑interest rather than the public good. **In simple terms:** Governments are seen as inherently corrupt and oppressive. Key Takeaway Question skepticism toward authority. Themes politics government corruption Mood cynical critical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - voting - activism - policy critique - community organization Key Concepts power legitimacy human nature Questions to Reflect On - What alternatives to government could address these failures? - How can citizens improve existing institutions? A Different Perspective Even the best governments can be imperfect and may serve essential functions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [Government is actually the worst failure of civilized man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/government-is-actually-the-worst-failure-of-civilized-man/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [Goverment is actually the worst failure of civilized man. There has never been a really good one, and even those that are the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/goverment-is-actually-the-worst-failure-of-civilized-man-there-has/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [The worst of failure of this kind is that it spoils the market for more competent performers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-agate/the-worst-of-failure-of-this-kind-is-that-it-spoils-the-market-for/) [James Agate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-agate/) > [The intelligent altruists, though less altruistic than unintelligent altruists, will be fitter than both unintelligent altruists and selfish individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-intelligent-altruists-though-less-altruistic-than-unintelligent/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The NSA is the only branch of the government that actually listens to people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziad-k-abdelnour/the-nsa-is-the-only-branch-of-the-government-that-actually-listens-to/) [Ziad K. Abdelnour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziad-k-abdelnour/) > [While there's always plenty of room for improvement, our government is actually quite effective and efficient. Our military and judicial systems and national parks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-tilson/while-there-s-always-plenty-of-room-for-improvement-our-government-is/) [Whitney Tilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-tilson/) > [NSA, the only part of government that actually listens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mccall/nsa-the-only-part-of-government-that-actually-listens/) [Dan McCall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mccall/) > [Government actually grew during the Reagan years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/government-actually-grew-during-the-reagan-years/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're actually paying for.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/be-thankful-we-re-not-getting-all-the-government-we-re-actually/) [Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/) > [The public sector certainly includes the Department of Labor. Those are jobs that are available. They are open and they are good paying jobs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-herman/the-public-sector-certainly-includes-the-department-of-labor-those/) [Alexis Herman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-herman/) > [I think government actually does create jobs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-lujan-grisham/i-think-government-actually-does-create-jobs/) [Michelle Lujan Grisham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-lujan-grisham/) > [The U.S. government is actually exceptionally vulnerable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dmitri-alperovitch/the-u-s-government-is-actually-exceptionally-vulnerable/) [Dmitri Alperovitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dmitri-alperovitch/) > [As president, I'm focusing on economy, energy, national security, and the limited set of things the federal government is actually supposed to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-burgum/as-president-i-m-focusing-on-economy-energy-national-security-and-the/) [Doug Burgum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-burgum/) > [The population has to be educated about how the government actually works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-mcgruder/the-population-has-to-be-educated-about-how-the-government-actually/) [Aaron McGruder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-mcgruder/) > [For voters what matters is what government actually delivers for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theresa-may/for-voters-what-matters-is-what-government-actually-delivers-for-them/) [Theresa May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theresa-may/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Civilized quotes > [ That country \[Carthage\] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws;… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinking-into-the-state-of-barbarism/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Be neither too early in the fashion, nor too long out of it, nor too precisely in it; what custom hath civilized is become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/be-neither-too-early-in-the-fashion-nor-too-long-out-of-it-nor-too/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/wine-is-one-of-the-most-civilized-things-in-the-world-and-one-of-the/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Civilized nations are ones that simply can't endure wrongs or injustice except at home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-anderson/civilized-nations-are-ones-that-simply-can-t-endure-wrongs-or/) Joseph Anderson > [Our guiding principle was that design is neither an intellectual nor a material affair, but simply an integral part of the stuff of life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-gropius/our-guiding-principle-was-that-design-is-neither-an-intellectual-nor/) [Walter Gropius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-gropius/) > [War is not civilized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-kweli/war-is-not-civilized/) [Talib Kweli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talib-kweli/) > [For it is an absurdity to call a country civilized in which a decent and industrious man, laboriously mastering a trade which is valuble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/for-it-is-an-absurdity-to-call-a-country-civilized-in-which-a-decent/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [No people is wholly civilized where a distinction is drawn between stealing an office and stealing a purse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/no-people-is-wholly-civilized-where-a-distinction-is-drawn-between/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Mine was, as it were, the connecting link between wild and cultivated fields; as some states are civilized, and others half-civilized, and others savage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/mine-was-as-it-were-the-connecting-link-between-wild-and-cultivated/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The military mind is indeed a menace. Old-fashioned futurity that sees only men fighting and dying in smoke and fire; hears nothing more civilized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-o-casey/the-military-mind-is-indeed-a-menace-old-fashioned-futurity-that-sees/) [Sean O'Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-o-casey/) > [As long as there are prisons, police, armies, navies; we are not civilized. When the Earth joins together and uses the Earth intelligently, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/as-long-as-there-are-prisons-police-armies-navies-we-are-not/) [Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/) > [We're all intrigued, in our civilized world that we live in, and curious about how we would get on, on an undiscovered island that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hiddleston/we-re-all-intrigued-in-our-civilized-world-that-we-live-in-and/) [Tom Hiddleston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hiddleston/) > [When passions and appetites are stronger than the intellect, men are savages; when the intellect governs the passions, when the passions are servants, men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/when-passions-and-appetites-are-stronger-than-the-intellect-men-are/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [The malady of civilized man is his knowledge of death. The good artist, like the wise man, addresses himself to life and invests with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/the-malady-of-civilized-man-is-his-knowledge-of-death-the-good-artist/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Savage peoples are ruled by passion, civilized peoples by the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/savage-peoples-are-ruled-by-passion-civilized-peoples-by-the-mind/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) Browse all 1,043 Civilized quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Government is actually the worst failure of civilized man. 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