The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the Prohibition law. For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced

Very few reputations are gained by unsullied virtue.

In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.

Part of our struggle is to make the international community understand that we are a poor country not because there is an insufficiency of resources and investment, but because we are deprived of the basic institutions and practices that make for good government.

In this country, the number of individuals on the government payroll certainly underestimates the importance of government.

When governments are austere, societies are prosperous.

In every government on earth is some trace of human weakness, some germ of corruption and degeneracy, which cunning will discover and wickedness insensibly open, cultivate and improve. Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves therefore are its only safe depositories. And to render even them safe, their minds must be improved

A government which cannot protect its humblest citizens from outrage and injury is unworthy of the name and ought not to command the support of a free people.

Additionally, it lacks modesty and pretends to heal a country that is not sick from its constitution, rather a model envied for its stability, change of governments, its people’s maturity and the vitality of its institutions despite a few dysfunctions.

Eminence without merit earns deference without esteem.

If the people have no faith in their rulers, there is no standing for the state.

The prestige of royal power has evaporated, but the majesty of the law has failed to take its place. People nowadays despise authority yet still fear it, and fear extracts from them more than they previously gave out of respect and love.

it will be when prestige (both public and private) is low that we will be intent upon using the successes of associated others to help restore image.

History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes.