“Governments do not make ideals, but ideals make governments.”

There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no one independence quite so important, as living within your means.

Money will not purchase character or good government.

We demand entire freedom of action and then expect the government in some miraculous way to save us from the consequences of our own acts. Self-government means self-reliance.

Man everywhere has an unconquerable desire to be the master of his own destiny.

It is difficult for men in high office to avoid the malady of self-delusion. They are always surrounded by worshipers. They are constantly, and for the most part sincerely, assured of their greatness.

Prosperity is only an instrument to be used, not a deity to be worshipped.

I want taxes to be less, that the people may have more.

If the people fail to vote, a government will be developed which is not their government. The whole system of American Government rests on the ballot box. Unless citizens perform their duties there, such a system of government is doomed to failure.

They criticize me for harping on the obvious; if all the folks in the United States would do the few simple things they know they ought to do, most of our big problems would take care of themselves.

The property of the people belongs to the people. To take it from them by taxation cannot be justified except by urgent public necessity. Unless this principle be recognized our country is no longer secure, our people no longer free.

Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character.

Silence can never be misquoted.

We want wealth, but there are many other things we want very much more. Among them are peace, honor, charity, and idealism.

We are too solicitous for government intervention, on the theory, first, that the people themselves are helpless, and second, that the Government has superior capacity for action. Often times both of these conclusions are wrong.

A government which lays taxes on the people not required by urgent public necessity and sound public policy is not a protector of liberty, but an instrument of tyranny. It condemns the citizen to servitude.

I have found it advisable not to give too much heed to what people say when I am trying to accomplish something of consequence. Invariably they proclaim it can’t be done. I deem that the very best time to make the effort.

I have left orders to be awakened at any time during national emergency, even if I’m in a cabinet meeting.

A republican government should be based on free and equal education among the people.

You can kill a revolutionary, but you cannot kill a revolution.

Governments are out of control, irresponsible, never have enough money, never tighten their own belts, and when they are forced to, they always threaten to shut down police departments and teachers and all these things.

Russian democracy is the power of the Russian people with their own traditions of national self-government, and not the realisation of standards foisted on us from outside.

The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.

The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would steal them away.

Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets.