Legitimacy [of governments] is not bought by force; it is earned by consensus of the people.
press conference, Jan. 13, 1991
![Legitimacy [of governments] is not bought by force; it is earned by consensus of the people.](https://img.libquotes.com/pic-quotes/v1/george-h-w-bush-quote-lbk4q0y.jpg)
![Legitimacy [of governments] is not bought by force; it is earned by consensus of the people.](https://img.libquotes.com/pic-quotes/v2/george-h-w-bush-quote-lbk4q0y.jpg)
![Legitimacy [of governments] is not bought by force; it is earned by consensus of the people.](https://img.libquotes.com/pic-quotes/v3/george-h-w-bush-quote-lbk4q0y.jpg)
![Legitimacy [of governments] is not bought by force; it is earned by consensus of the people.](https://img.libquotes.com/pic-quotes/v4/george-h-w-bush-quote-lbk4q0y.jpg)
