Quotes on Legitimate Government

It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God.

The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.

All legitimate government is a mutual insurance company, voluntarily agreed upon by the parties to it, for the protection of their rights against wrong-doers. In its voluntary character it is precisely similar to an association for mutual protection against fire or shipwreck.

The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.