It would be desirable if every Government, when it comes to power, should have its old
speeches burnt.
—Philip Snowden, 1929
After eight years in Washington, I longed for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood.
—Fred Thompson, 2007
44
The mystery of government is not how Washington works but how to make it stop.
—P. J. O’Rourke, 1991
Washington is a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm.
—Anonymous
45
Talk is cheap – except when Congress does it.
—Cullen Hightower
46
No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session.
—Gideon J. Tucker, 1866
***
The more laws and orders are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers.
—Lăozi, *4th century BC
The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government.
—Tacitus, 117 AD
A state is much better governed when has only a few laws, which are strictly observed.
—René Descartes, 1628
Why keep on enacting laws when we already have more than we can break?
—Anonymous
***
We have the best politicians that money can buy.
—Edward Abbey, 1990
The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1860
47
44
He was an actor—and a US Senator.
45
Frequently misattributed to John F. Kennedy, who only quoted it (in a 1961 speech) as a known
joke.
46
As quoted, without a date, in several reputable collections, starting not later than 1992.
47
Apparently rooted in a much earlier (and much longer) remark by Samuel Johnson on a similar
topic.
On Government and Politics
179
speeches burnt.
—Philip Snowden, 1929
After eight years in Washington, I longed for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood.
—Fred Thompson, 2007
44
The mystery of government is not how Washington works but how to make it stop.
—P. J. O’Rourke, 1991
Washington is a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm.
—Anonymous
45
Talk is cheap – except when Congress does it.
—Cullen Hightower
46
No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session.
—Gideon J. Tucker, 1866
***
The more laws and orders are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers.
—Lăozi, *4th century BC
The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government.
—Tacitus, 117 AD
A state is much better governed when has only a few laws, which are strictly observed.
—René Descartes, 1628
Why keep on enacting laws when we already have more than we can break?
—Anonymous
***
We have the best politicians that money can buy.
—Edward Abbey, 1990
The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1860
47
44
He was an actor—and a US Senator.
45
Frequently misattributed to John F. Kennedy, who only quoted it (in a 1961 speech) as a known
joke.
46
As quoted, without a date, in several reputable collections, starting not later than 1992.
47
Apparently rooted in a much earlier (and much longer) remark by Samuel Johnson on a similar
topic.
On Government and Politics
179