In the long run, the public interest depends on private virtue.

Public order is a fragile thing, and if you don't fix the first broken window, soon all the windows will be broken.

There aren't any liberals left in New York. They've all been mugged by now.

Character is not the enemy of self-expression and personal freedom, it is their necessary precondition.

One unrepaired broken window is a signal that no one cares, and so breaking more windows costs nothing.

I believe we ought to subsidize some health care for the poor, but Medicare subsidizes everyone's health care

Broken Window Theory: Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it's unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside. Or consider a sidewalk. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of trash from take-out restaurants there or even break into cars.