Government seems to operate on the principle that if even one individual is incapable of using his freedom competently, no one can be allowed to be free.

The government is good at one thing. It knows how to break your legs, and then hand you a crutch and say, "See if it weren't for the government, you wouldn't be able to walk".

Freedom and responsibility aren't interconnected things. They are the same thing.

For those looking for security, be forewarned that there's nothing more insecure than a political promise.

It's important to realize that whenever you give power to politicians or bureaucrats, it will be used for what they want, not for what you want.

A great burden was lifted from my shoulders the day I realized that no one owes me anything.

The government's War on Poverty has transformed poverty from a short-term misfortune into a career choice.

When you give politicians the power to do what you think is right you're automatically giving politicians the power to do what you think is wrong.

Immigrants used to come to America seeking freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom from government. Now they come looking for free health care, free education, and a free lunch.

Government cripples you, then hands you a crutch and says, 'See, if it wasn't for us, you couldn't walk.'

In almost all matters, the real question should be: why are we letting government handle this?

It was only in a place like Paris where knowing the books someone loved, whether they followed Lévi-Strauss or Sartre, was the yardstick by which to measure them.

The good life of any river may depend on the perception of its music; and the preservation of some music to perceive.

The totalitarian, to me, is the enemy - the one that's absolute, the one that wants control over the inside of your head, not just your actions and your taxes.

My own perception of that is somewhat colored by where people ask my advice, which is still, of course, about changes to Python internals or at least standard libraries.

I am disappointed, but I am realistic too. When you put your defense back on the field repeatedly, the offense needs to do its job and the defense needs to get itself off the field.

God only exhibits his thunder and lightning at intervals, and so they always command attention.

I have never had a vote, and I have raised hell all over this country. You don't need a vote to raise hell! You need convictions and a voice!

Monsieur' to a convict is a glass of water to a man dying of thirst at sea; ignominy thirsts for respect.