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Human Nature Quotes

Browse 4693 quotes about Human Nature.

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Human Nature Quotes

“If we have system in which government is in a position to give large favor - it's human nature to try to get this favor - whether those people are large enterprises, or whether they're small businesses like farmers, or whether they're representatives of any other special group. The only way to prevent that is to force them to engage in competition one with the other.”

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Author:Milton Friedman
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“Whenever the powers of government are placed in any hands other than those of the community, whether those of one man, of a few, or of several, those principles of human nature which imply that government is at all necessary, imply that those persons will make use of them to defeat the very end for which government exists.”

MenHumansPersonsEndsUseHandsGovernmentCommunityPrinciplesHuman NatureDefeatOne Man
Book:The Article Government: Reprinted from the Supplement to the Encyclopædia Britannica
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“Government began in tyranny and force, began in the feudalism of the soldier and bigotry of the priest; and the ideas of justice and humanity have been fighting their way, like a thunderstorm, against the organized selfishness of human nature.”

WayHumansHas BeensIdeasGovernmentHumanityFightingForceJusticeHuman NatureSoldierTyrannySelfishnessOrganizedPriestsBigotryThunderstormFeudalism
Book:Speeches, Lectures, and Letters
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“The highest greatness, surviving time and stone, is that which proceeds from the soul of man. Monarchs and cabinets, generals and admirals, with the pomp of court and the circumstance of war, in the lapse of time disappear from sight; but the pioneers of truth, though poor and lowly, especially those whose example elevates human nature, and teaches the rights of man, so that "a government of the people, by the people, for the people, may not perish from the earth;" such a harbinger can never be forgotten, and their renown spreads co-extensive with the cause they served so well.”

PeopleMenHumansWellsMayWarSoulGovernmentEarthCausesPoorTeachRightsHuman NatureExampleGreatnessCircumstancesFameHighestStonesSightCourtForgottenSpreadDisappearSurvivingPioneersCabinetsMonarchsLapsesRenownAdmiralHarbinger
Author:Charles Sumner
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“Most men appear to think that the art of despotic government is statesmanship, and what men affirm to be unjust and inexpedient in their own case they are not ashamed of practicing towards others; they demand just rule for themselves, but where other men are concerned they care nothing about it. Such behavior is irrational; unless the one party is, and the other is not, born to serve, in which case men have a right to command, not indeed all their fellows, but only those who are intended to be subjects; just as we ought not to hunt mankind, whether for food or sacrifice . .”

ThinkingMenArtGovernmentCareBornPartyCasesSacrificeSubjectsMankindHuman NatureOughtDemandBehaviorConcernedFellowsCommandAshamedIrrationalUnjustHuntsStatesmanshipCommand Not
Author:Aristotle
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“Whereas happiness is the highest good, being a realization and perfect practice of virtue, which some can attain, while others have little or none of it, the various qualities of men are clearly the reason why there are various kinds of states and many forms of government; for different men seek after happiness in different ways and by different means, and so make for themselves different modes of life and forms of government.”

MenWayKindMeanLittlesDifferentStatesReasonGovernmentFormPerfectQualityPracticeVirtueHuman NatureHighestVariousRealizationReason WhyDifferent WaysForms Of GovernmentPerfect Practice
Book:The Essential Aristotle
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“It is a law of nature that everything run by the government will get more expensive and worse over time. Everything run by the private sector will get better and cheaper over time. The fact that [Obamacare] starts this badly does not bode well....We want healthcare run on the same system that gave us cell phones, flat screens, Jerry Garcia chia pets. Everything you submit to the free market...keeps getting better and better.”

WantWellsDoeFactsRealityGovernmentRunningLawPoliticalPoliticsMoneyPartyHistoryTechnologyDemocracyHuman NatureHealthCapitalismPhonesScreensIdeologyCellsGet BetterExpensivePetFlatsHealthcareSubmitConsumerismPolitical PartiesFree MarketLaws Of NatureCell PhoneObamacareCheaperPrivate SectorJerry
Author:Ann Coulter
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“The first reform must be the attitude. The ministers of the Gospel must be people who can warm the hearts of the people, who walk through the dark night with them, who know how to dialogue and to descend themselves into their people's night, into the darkness, but without getting lost. The people of God want pastors, not clergy acting like bureaucrats or government officials.”

PeopleKnowsWantFirstsHeartGovernmentNightReligionLostCommunityLeadershipChurchDarkWalksActingAttitudeDarknessKnow HowHuman NatureWarmSeparationDialogueIdeologyReformMinistersOfficialsPastorChurch And StateSeparation Of Church And StateBureaucratsClergyDark NightGetting LostGovernment Officials
Author:Pope Francis
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“As I see it, there are two great forces of human nature: self-interest, and caring for others. Capitalism harnesses self-interest in a helpful and sustainable way, but only on behalf of those who can pay. Government aid and philanthropy channel our caring for those who can't pay. But to provide rapid improvement for the poor we need a system that draws in innovators and businesses in a far better way than we do today.”

WayNeedsHumansTwoSelfGovernmentTodayForceInterestPoorBusinessPayHuman NatureDrawsCapitalismCaringAidsImprovementHelpfulPhilanthropyBehalfRapidsSelf InterestBetter WaysInnovatorsCaring For OthersHarnessGovernment Aid
Author:Bill Gates
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“Thus, experience has ever shown, that education, as well as religion, aristocracy, as well as democracy and monarchy, are, singly, totally inadequate to the business of restraining the passions of men, of preserving a steady government, and protecting the lives, liberties, and properties of the people . . . . Religion, superstition, oaths, education, laws, all give way before passions, interest, and power, which can be resisted only by passions, interest, and power.”

PeopleMenWayGivingWellsGovernmentLawPassionInterestLibertyDemocracyHuman NaturePropertySteadySuperstitionsMonarchyOathInadequateAristocracyRestraining
Author:John Adams
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“The form of government which you admire, when its principles are pure is admirable indeed. It is productive of every Thing which is great and excellent among men. But its principles are as easily destroyed as human nature is corrupted. Such a government is only to be supported by pure religion or Austere morals.”

MenHumansGovernmentFormReligionMoralPrinciplesHuman NatureMoralityPureAdmireDestroyedExcellentProductiveAdmirableForms Of Government
Book:Warren-Adams Letters: Being Chiefly a Correspondence Among John Adams, Samuel Adams, and James Warren ... 1743-1814
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“The American founders, when framing their governments, looked to the Bible for insights into human nature, civic virtue, social order, political authority and other concepts essential to the establishment of a political society. They saw in Scripture political and legal models - such as republicanism, separation of powers, and due process of law - that they believed enjoyed divine favor and were worthy of emulation in their polities.”

HumansGovernmentLawPoliticalOrderSocialProcessVirtueSawsHuman NatureDivineEssentialsAuthorityModelsConceptsInsightWorthyDuesFavorsScriptureSeparationEnjoyedEstablishmentFoundersCivicsSocial OrderFramingSeparation Of PowersDue ProcessEmulationRepublicanismCivic VirtueDue Process Of Law
Author:Daniel L Dreisbach
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“What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.”

IfsMenHumansGovernmentWould BeNatureLibertyHuman NatureReflectionAngelInternalsPatrioticFederal GovernmentFreedom And LibertyFreedom LibertyDemocracies HaveFederalistLimiting GovernmentFederalist PapersNatural RightsSeparation Of PowersEternal VigilanceLiberty And JusticeGovernment And SocietyControlling Government
Author:James Madison
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“The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of Government. But what is Government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?”

MenShouldHumansMayGovernmentPoliticsInterestRightsHuman NatureHe ManReflectionAbuseConnectedDevicesFederalistFederalist PapersConstitutional Rights
Book:The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788
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“In all general questions which become the subjects of discussion, there are always some truths mixed with falsehoods. I confess, there is danger where men are capable of holding two offices. Take mankind in general, they are vicious, their passions may be operated upon. We have been taught to reprobate the danger of influence in the British government, without duly reflecting how far it was necessary to support a good government. We have taken up many ideas upon trust, and at last, pleased with our own opinions, establish them as undoubted truths.”

MenMayHas BeensTwoIdeasGovernmentLastsPassionOpinionSupportTakenInfluenceSubjectsMankindHuman NatureDangerTaughtOfficeCapableBritishDiscussionFalsehoodViciousReflectingBritish Government
Author:Alexander Hamilton
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“In the discharge of this trust I will only say that I have, with good intentions, contributed toward the organization and administration of the Government the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable.”

GovernmentHuman NatureJudgmentCapableOrganizationIntentionAdministrationGood IntentionsExertionDischarge
Book:Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States of America
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“It is possible that these may all be insufficient to control the caprice and wickedness of man. But are they not all that government will admit, and all that human prudence can devise?”

MenHumansMayGovernmentHuman NatureWickednessPrudenceInsufficientCaprice
Book:The Fœderalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favor of the New Constitution, as Agreed Upon by the Fœderal Convention, September 17, 1787. Reprinted from the Original Text. With an Historical Introduction and Notes
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“The smaller the number and the more permanent and conspicuous the station of men in power, the stronger must be the interest which they will individually feel in whatever concerns the government.”

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Book:The Federalist Papers: A Collection of Essays Written in Favour of the New Constitution
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“The important distinction so well understood in America between a constitution established by the people, and unalterable by the government; and a law established by the government, and alterable by the government, seems to have been little understood and less observed in any other country. Wherever the supreme power of legislation has resided, has been supposed to reside also, a full power to change the form of government.”

PeopleWellsLittlesHas BeensImportantCountrySeemsGovernmentAmericaFormLawHuman NatureUnderstoodConstitutionSupremeDistinctionOther CountriesLegislationForms Of GovernmentPower To ChangeSupreme Power
Book:The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in 1788
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“Man is very much a creature of habit. A thing that rarely strikes his senses will generally have but little influence upon his mind. A government continually at a distance and out of sight, can hardly be expected to interest the sensations of the people. The inference is, that the authority of the Union, and the affections of the citizens towards it, will be strengthened rather than weakened by its extension to what are called matters of internal concern.”

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Book:America's Founding Documents: The Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the Bill of Rights
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“America, with the same voice which spoke herself into existence as a nation, proclaimed to mankind the inextinguishable rights of human nature, and the only lawful foundations of government.”

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Book:An Address, Delivered at the Request of the Committee of Arrangements for Celebrating the Anniversary of Independence: At the City of Washington on the Fourth of July 1821, Upon the Occasion of Reading the Declaration of Independence. ...
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