I heartily accept the motto, "That government is best which governs least"; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe — "That government is best which governs not at all"; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.


Civil Disobedience (1849)

Henry David Thoreau Quotes

I heartily accept the motto, That government is best which governs least; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically....

I heartily accept the motto, That government is best which governs least; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically....

I heartily accept the motto, That government is best which governs least; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically....

I heartily accept the motto, That government is best which governs least; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically....