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Governments do not make ideals, but ideals make governments.

Calvin Coolidge

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.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Action Government People Theory Wrong
What we need is not more Federal government, but better local government.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Government Need
Whether one traces his Americanism back three centuries to the Mayflower, or three years to the steerage, is not half so important as whether his Americanism of today is real and genuine. No matter by what various crafts we came here, we are all now in the same boat.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Important Oneself Reality
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.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Country Freedom Necessary People Principle Security
It is much more important to kill bad bills than to pass good ones.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Goodness Government Important Liberty
We want wealth, but there are many other things we want very much more. Among them are peace, honor, charity, and idealism.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Charity Honor Ideal Peace
The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Forget Nation People War
The collection of taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond reasonable doubt contribute to public welfare, is only a species of legalized larceny. Under this Republic the rewards of industry belong to those who earn them.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Beyond Collection Doubt Reward
Don’t expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Deep Peace Strength Strong Weakness
What we need in appointive positions is men of knowledge and experience who have sufficient character to resist temptations.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Character Experience Men Resistance Temptation
If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Beyond Creation Equality Government Men Power Progress Right
There is no surer road to destruction than prosperity without character.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Character Destruction Prosperity
The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Country Difficult Faith God Ourselves Support Teaching
The right thing to do never requires any subterfuge, it is always simple and direct.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Responsibility Right Simplicity
Doubters do not achieve; skeptics do not contribute; cynics do not create.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Achievement Doubt
Never go out to meet trouble. If you just sit still, nine cases out of ten, someone will intercept it before it reaches you.
CALVIN COOLIDGE

Politics Yourself

Governments do not make ideals, but ideals make governments.

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Governments do not make ideals, but ideals make governments.

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