Quote by Henry David Thoreau

That government is best which governs least. - from Civil Disobedience

That government is best which governs least. - from Civil Di

Summary

This quote, from Henry David Thoreau's essay "Civil Disobedience," expresses the idea that a government that interferes the least in the lives of its citizens is the most desirable. Thoreau argues for limited government and individual freedoms, suggesting that excessive governance can be oppressive and stifling to personal autonomy. He advocates for a society where individuals have the liberty to make their own decisions without unnecessary intervention from higher authorities. Thoreau's quote reflects his belief in the importance of minimalistic government control and his preference for the preservation of individual liberties.

By Henry David Thoreau

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the dire

I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.

Henry David Thoreau

Life Success Learning Dreams

One thing, however, is sure, - that in all cases the effort

One thing, however, is sure, - that in all cases the effort should be to impose all the cost of repairing the wrong upon the doer of the wrong. This alone is real justice, and of course such justice is necessarily free.

Benjamin Tucker

Unwearied ceaseless effort is the price that must be paid fo

Unwearied ceaseless effort is the price that must be paid for turning faith into a rich infallible experience.

Listen, everything I did in my childhood was competitive. Ev

Listen, everything I did in my childhood was competitive. Everything we did my dad made it into a game to win. We used to drive my mum nuts.

There is no Frigate like a book to take us lands away nor an

There is no Frigate like a book to take us lands away nor any coursers like a page of prancing Poetry.

Emily Dickinson

Racism as a form of skin worship, and as a sickness and a pa

Racism as a form of skin worship, and as a sickness and a pathological anxiety for America, is so great, until the poor whites -- rather than fighting for jobs or education -- fight to remain pink and fight to remain white. And therefore they cannot see an alliance with people that they feel to be inherently inferior.

You don't have to be singing about love all the time in orde

You don't have to be singing about love all the time in order to give love to the people. You don't have to keep flashing those words all the time.

Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.

Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.

I believe that you control your destiny, that you can be wha

I believe that you control your destiny, that you can be what you want to be. You can also stop and say, 'No, I won't do it, I won't behave his way anymore. I'm lonely and I need people around me, maybe I have to change my methods of behaving,' and then you do it.

I am thankful I was born in America, although if I gain any

I am thankful I was born in America, although if I gain any more weight the burqa thing may start to seem like a good idea to me. See? Another plus about America, you can always find some food.

I was going to tape some records onto a cassette, but I got

I was going to tape some records onto a cassette, but I got thewires backwards. I erased all of the records. When I returnedthem to my friend, he said, Hey, these records are all blank.

Through thee, the gracious Muses turn, To Furies, O mine Ene

Through thee, the gracious Muses turn, To Furies, O mine Enemy! And all the things of beauty burn With flames of evil ecstasy. Because of thee, the land of dreams Becomes a gathering place of fears: Until tormented slumber seems One vehemence of useless tears.

Beauty Dreams Places Muses