My favorite political quotes

As roanoke.com transitions from its online columnists in April, my column, as many others, will cease at the end of this month. For one of my final columns, I offer not my opinions, but the political opinions of great thinkers of the ages (and some who just got lucky with one good quote).

I present to you some of my favorite quotes relating to government, politics and principles. This first quote in particular reflects how I have felt when writing columns about the abuses of government and the half-truths of some of our politicians, and getting blistering e-mails as a result:

"You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence."

There is no better way to gain that reputation than to put your ideas right in the middle of the public square. Thank you for reading and for letting me do that.

Enjoy these quotes I have collected:

"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master."

"Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat scorned."

“This is free ground. All the way from here to the Pacific Ocean. No man has to bow. No man born to royalty. Here we judge you by what you do, not by what your father was. Here you can be something.”

"Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself."

"It is a besetting vice of democracies to substitute public opinion for law. This is the usual form in which masses of men exhibit their tyranny."

"The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem."

"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy."

"The legacy of Democrats and Republicans approaches: Libertarianism by bankruptcy."

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."

"Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it."

"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"

"When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators."

"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

"The hardest thing to understand in the world is the income tax."

"The politicians don't just want your money. They want your soul. They want you to be worn down by taxes until you are dependent and helpless. When you subsidize poverty and failure, you get more of both."

"Experience should teach us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government's purposes are beneficial. The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well meaning but without understanding."

"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."

And finally, the simple core of my philosophy that I have been sharing with you for the past year and a half:

"That government is best which governs the least.”