A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.
Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Excessive government power to provide benefits also grants it the power to confiscate assets.
- In plain terms
- A government that can give you everything can also take everything away.
- What can you take from it?
- Be wary of expanding state power without checks.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What balances security and freedom?
- When does help become control?
Another view
It oversimplifies the role of regulation in protecting citizens.
More from Ronald Reagan
The nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government, and I'm here to help.'
Permalink to quote #120 Trust, but Verify.
Permalink to quote #122 If congress sends me legislation that has a tax increase in it, I will veto it faster than Vanna White can turn the letters V-E-T-O!
Permalink to quote #119
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