At the core of liberalism is the spoiled child – miserable, as all spoiled children are, unsatisfied, demanding, ill-disciplined, despotic and useless. Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats.
— P.J. O’Rourke
There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences.
— P.J. O’Rourke
The mystery of government is not how Washington works but how to make it stop.
— P.J. O’Rourke
When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators.
— P.J. O’Rourke
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
— P.J. O’Rourke
Politics are a lousy way for a free man to get things done.
— P.J. O’Rourke
Collectivism doesn’t work because it’s based on a faulty economic premise. There is no such thing as a person’s ‘fair share’ of wealth. The gross national product is not a pizza that must be carefully divided because if I get too many slices, you have to eat the box. The economy is expandable and, in any practical sense, limitless.
— P.J. O’Rourke, How to Explain Conservatism
If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s free.
— P.J. O’Rourke
Moderation in temper is always a virtue, but moderation in principle is always a vice.
— Thomas Paine
He who dares not to offend cannot be honest.
— Thomas Paine
He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression.
— Thomas Paine
The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand arms, like laws, discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world, as well as property. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside. Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the world deprived of the use of them.
— Thomas Paine
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
— Thomas Paine
Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
— Thomas Paine
Let them call me a rebel and I welcome it; I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of demons should I make a whore of my soul.
— Thomas Paine
My country is the world. My religion is to do good.
— Thomas Paine
Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.
— Thomas Paine
He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression.
— Thomas Paine, 1795
The bosom of America is open to receive not only the opulent and respectable stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all nations and religions, whom we shall welcome to participate in all of our rights and privileges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.
— George Washington
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
— George Washington
If we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for war.
— George Washington
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace. A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined.
— George Washington
The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism…. It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.
— George Washington
I think the Parliament of Great Britain hath no more right to put their hands into my pocket, without my consent, than I have to put my hands into yours for money
— George Washington
