It is the supreme test of a system of government whether its machinery is adequate for repressing the selfish undertakings of cliques formed on special interests and saving the public from raids of plunderers.

Quote by William Graham Sumner

Topics: Government Quotes

Furthermore, the unearned increment from land appears in the United States as a gain to...

Furthermore, the unearned increment from land appears in the United States as a gain to...

All history is only one long story to this effect: men have struggled for power...

All history is only one long story to this effect: men have struggled for power...

Men of routine or men who can do what they are told are not hard...

Men of routine or men who can do what they are told are not hard...

It is often said that the earth belongs to the race, as if raw land...

It is often said that the earth belongs to the race, as if raw land...

Joint-stock companies are yet in their infancy, and incorporated capital, instead of being a thing...

Joint-stock companies are yet in their infancy, and incorporated capital, instead of being a thing...

We are to see the development of the country pushed forward at an unprecedented rate...

We are to see the development of the country pushed forward at an unprecedented rate...

I have before me a newspaper slip on which a writer expresses the opinion that...

I have before me a newspaper slip on which a writer expresses the opinion that...

If I want to be free from any other man's dictation, I must understand that...

If I want to be free from any other man's dictation, I must understand that...

There ought to be no laws to guarantee property against the folly of its possessors.

There ought to be no laws to guarantee property against the folly of its possessors.

The men who start out with the notion that the world owes them a living...

The men who start out with the notion that the world owes them a living...

It is the tendency of the social burdens to crush out the middle class, and...

It is the tendency of the social burdens to crush out the middle class, and...

Perhaps they do not recognize themselves, for a rich man is even harder to define...

Perhaps they do not recognize themselves, for a rich man is even harder to define...

He who would be well taken care of must take care of himself.

He who would be well taken care of must take care of himself.

One thing must be granted to the rich: they are goodnatured.

One thing must be granted to the rich: they are goodnatured.

There is every indication that we are to see new developments of the power of...

There is every indication that we are to see new developments of the power of...

It is remarkable that jealousy of individual property in land often goes along with very...

It is remarkable that jealousy of individual property in land often goes along with very...

The aggregation of large fortunes is not at all a thing to be regretted.

The aggregation of large fortunes is not at all a thing to be regretted.

A good father believes that he does wisely to encourage enterprise, productive skill, prudent self-denial,...

A good father believes that he does wisely to encourage enterprise, productive skill, prudent self-denial,...

Labor organizations are formed, not to employ combined effort for a common object, but to...

Labor organizations are formed, not to employ combined effort for a common object, but to...

A drunkard in the gutter is just where he ought to be, according to the...

A drunkard in the gutter is just where he ought to be, according to the...