Bears Quote by Calvin Coolidge
“Governments are necessarily continuing concerns. They have to keep going in good times and in bad. They therefore need a wide margin of safety. If taxes and debt are made all the people can bear when times are good, there will be certain disaster when times are bad.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Policy Address, 1925
Governments must maintain fiscal buffers to survive economic cycles, avoiding over‑taxation in prosperity that leads to crisis in downturns.
In simple terms: Governments need safety nets for good and bad times.
Build fiscal reserves and balanced budgets.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- budget planning
- tax policy
- economic forecasting
- public administration
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can governments balance safety with growth?
- What mechanisms ensure equitable tax burdens?
Overly cautious reserves can limit necessary investment.