Common Quote by William Godwin

If government is to serve any purpose it is to do for others what they are unable to do for themselves.

— Lyndon B. Johnson

The fundamental purpose of government is to protect its citizens.

— Arlen Specter

The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done, but can not do at…

— Abraham Lincoln

I have always felt that the real purpose of government is to enhance the lives of people and that a leader can best do…

— Gerald R. Ford

“Government, if it has any purpose at all (and many libertarians doubt it does), should be restricted to the protection of its citizens' persons…

— Brian Doherty

That the sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and…

— Ezra Taft Benson

“Government, however, has its sole legitimate function in preventing the violation of the lives, liberties, and properties of its constituents. It is not empowered…

— Joseph Befumo

The public needs to know that any Government has a sense of purpose.

— Damian Green

A fundamental duty of government is to protect its people.

— Brad Henry

Government can contribute to a shared sense of purpose on the part of the citizenry; that's its highest and best application.

— William Weld

The role of government is to create responsible greed to keep boundaries around what people do.

— Rebecca M. Blank

The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as they are injurious to others.

— Thomas Jefferson