Quotes Library

April 25, 2025

Government…is simply not the channel through which men’s noblest impulses are to be realized. Its task, on the contrary, is largely to see to it that the ignoble ones are kept under restraint and not permitted to go too far.

George Kennan (1904–2005), American diplomat, historian. Around the Cragged Hill (1993), Jay p.203

Did you come to elective office to do good, or to do well? Have you sacrificed the former in the interest of the latter? Do you think Kennan read The Federalist as a student?

If you want to pursue a noble human impulse, join the NGO of your choice. *non-government organization.


More Quotes

October 3, 2025
There is no act of treachery or meanness of which a political party is not capable; for in politics there is no honour.
March 2, 2025
00:28
There is a providence that protects idiots, drunkards, children and the United States of America.
October 13, 2025
he opinions that are held with passion are always those for which no good ground exists
Page 111 of 123