It is perfectly true that that government is best which governs least. It is equally true that that government is best which provides most.

You don't have to preach honesty to men with a creative purpose. A genuine craftsman will not adulterate this product. The reason isn't because duty says he shouldn't, but because passion says he couldn't.

The man who will follow precedent, but never create one, is merely an obvious example of the routineer. You find him desperately numerous in the civil service, in the official bureaus. To him government is something given as unconditionally, as absolutely as ocean or hill. He goes on winding the tape that he finds. His imagination has rarely extricated itself from under the administrative machine to gain any sense of what a human, temporary contraption the whole affair is. What he thinks is the heavens above him is nothing but the roof.

Unless the reformer can invent something which substitutes attractive virtues for attractive vices, he will fail.

It is impossible to abolish either with a law or an axe the desires of men.

We are concerned in public affairs, but immersed in our private ones.

Most men, after a little freedom, have preferred authority with the consoling assurances and the economy of effort it brings.