Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient. The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also…

Quote by Henry David Thoreau

Topics: Government Quotes

Things do not change; we change.

Things do not change; we change.

Music is perpetual, and only the hearing is intermittent.

Music is perpetual, and only the hearing is intermittent.

Money is not required to buy one necessity of the soul.

Money is not required to buy one necessity of the soul.

We have not so good a right to hate any as our Friend.

We have not so good a right to hate any as our Friend.

I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the...

I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the...

Most are engaged in business the greater part of their lives, because the soul abhors...

Most are engaged in business the greater part of their lives, because the soul abhors...

Say what you have to say, not what you ought. Any truth is better than...

Say what you have to say, not what you ought. Any truth is better than...

Fame is not just. She never finely or discriminatingly praises, but coarsely hurrahs.

Fame is not just. She never finely or discriminatingly praises, but coarsely hurrahs.

We are always paid for our suspicion by finding what we suspect.

We are always paid for our suspicion by finding what we suspect.

I have thought there was some advantage even in death, by which we mingle with...

I have thought there was some advantage even in death, by which we mingle with...

As if there were safety in stupidity alone

As if there were safety in stupidity alone

There is no odor so bad as that which arises from goodness tainted.

There is no odor so bad as that which arises from goodness tainted.

Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it.

Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it.

Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of the one you love, is by far, the...

Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of the one you love, is by far, the...

Nothing goes by luck in composition. It allows of no tricks. The best you can...

Nothing goes by luck in composition. It allows of no tricks. The best you can...

After the first blush of sin comes its indifference.

After the first blush of sin comes its indifference.

We are constantly invited to be who we are.

We are constantly invited to be who we are.

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.

If you see people better than you, let them be your inspiration for self improvement,...

If you see people better than you, let them be your inspiration for self improvement,...

My interest in desperation lies only in that sometimes I find myself having become desperate....

My interest in desperation lies only in that sometimes I find myself having become desperate....

We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors,...

We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors,...