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

February 5, 2025
Think much, speak little, write less.
May 2, 2025
Conservative, n. A statesman who is enamoured of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal
July 8, 2025
…see how sensitive the citizens become: they chafe impatiently at the least touch of authority and at length
Page 37 of 123