Quotation by

Saint Augustine

In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?

Government

Understanding this quote AI Analysis

If a government does not act fairly and uphold justice, its power is no different from a group stealing from people by force. True authority depends on ruling with fairness rather than using power to take what belongs to others.

More by this author

All quotes by Saint Augustine →

More quotes about Government

See all →

A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take …

The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.

I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.

Government is not reason it is not eloquent it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil in its worst state, an intolerable one.

No man is good enough to govern another man without the other's consent.