said it. Nor did Thomas Paine, another "Founding Father" who is sometimes wrongly credited with the quote.
Henry David Thoreau did use the line in "Civil Disobedience" (originally titled "Resistance to Civil Government") and its appearance in that famous essay probably popularized the saying in its best known form. However, Thoreau seemed to be making it clear that he was citing an existing motto.
He may have been paraphrasing the slogan coined by American journalist and editor John Louis O'Sullivan. In 1837, O'Sullivan wrote "The best government is that which governs least"
http://www.quotecounterquote.com/2010/06/that-government-is-best-which-governs.html
http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/government-best-which-governs-least-quotation
That Government Is Best Which Governs Least.
Laissez-faire capitalist
"The government that governs the least governs the best." Government should GET OUT OF THE WAY (High taxes, onerous regulations, etc.) Government should stick to what it's SUPPOSED to do (military, immigration, roads, etc.)
No. He believed: -the farmer is the backbone of American society; -the government is best that governs least; -the president should practice republican simplicity; and -freedom of speech is essential in a republic.
A. Phillis Wheatley
"He governs best who governs least."~Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Paine
Thomas Jefferson made that statement, except he did not leave a space after the L in Least.
The quote "The government is best which governs least" is attributed to Henry David Thoreau, an American essayist and philosopher, known for his writings on civil disobedience and individualism. Thoreau believed in minimal interference from the government in the lives of the people.
today Thomas, Jefferson began his duties as president of the United States.
"That government governs best, which governs LEAST", said Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson believed in a small government, almost a minimalist government. Of course, he envisioned a nation of farmers and shopkeepers, not a world power with an international reach.
"That government governs best, which governs LEAST", said Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson believed in a small government, almost a minimalist government. Of course, he envisioned a nation of farmers and shopkeepers, not a world power with an international reach.
"That government governs best, which governs LEAST", said Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson believed in a small government, almost a minimalist government. Of course, he envisioned a nation of farmers and shopkeepers, not a world power with an international reach.
That Government Is Best Which Governs Least.
Laissez-faire capitalist
"The government that governs the least governs the best." Government should GET OUT OF THE WAY (High taxes, onerous regulations, etc.) Government should stick to what it's SUPPOSED to do (military, immigration, roads, etc.)
The best government is the one that governs the least