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

He who possesses art and science has religion he who does no

He who possesses art and science has religion he who does not possess them, needs religion.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I do appreciate a woman who has a passion for sports and kno

I do appreciate a woman who has a passion for sports and knows their stuff.

Sports

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

Peace Prosperity

Emmanuel Lewis was amazing to work with. I'll love that guy

Emmanuel Lewis was amazing to work with. I'll love that guy to the end of time.

Amazing

Those of us who are most genuinely repelled by war and viole

Those of us who are most genuinely repelled by war and violence are also those who are most likely to decide that some things, after all, are worth fighting for.

Christopher Hitchens

War Sacrifice

Our democracy must be not only the envy of the world but the

Our democracy must be not only the envy of the world but the engine of our own renewal. There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.(note: Clinton borrowed from Eisenhower for this one)

William Jefferson Clinton, First

Patriotism

Only your friends steal your books

Only your friends steal your books

Books

Maybe our young people are not as vacuous as we would like t

Maybe our young people are not as vacuous as we would like to lead ourselves to believe - that all they're interested in is hairdos and looking at other beautiful people. Maybe they're interested in learning something.

David James Elliott

Learning

Family involvement is a valuable thing and playing together

Family involvement is a valuable thing and playing together actively can be the '90s version of it. Instead of just watching, you can do it together... something we don't spend enough time on. We can motivate and excite each other about fitness.

Family

The work was like peeling an onion. The outer skin came off

The work was like peeling an onion. The outer skin came off with difficulty... but in no time you'd be down to its innards, tears streaming from your eyes as more and more beautiful reductions became possible.

Authors & Writing

There was never going to be a right time for a band that was

There was never going to be a right time for a band that was still recording and had health in its environment, had made a very good record and was playing well.

Health

Service to many leads to greatness-great respect, great sati

Service to many leads to greatness-great respect, great satisfaction. Success is not having to wait until someone goes to Hong Kong before you get a camera.

Service