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So what is government?... Very simply, it is an agency of coercion. Of course, there are other agencies of coercion - such as the Mafia. So to be more precise, government is the agency of coercion that has flags in front of its offices.

Harry Browne

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Harry Browne
Age: 72 †
Born: 1933
Born: June 17
Died: 2006
Died: March 1
Financial Analyst
Peace Activist
Politician
Radio Personality
Writer
New York City
New York
Harry Edson Browne
Political
Agency
Government
Fronts
Program
Mafia
Front
Offices
Office
Agencies
Simply
Coercion
Courses
Flags
Course
Precise

More quotes by Harry Browne

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Republicans campaign like Libertarians and govern like Democrats.
Harry Browne
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A welfare state is frightened of every poor person who tries to get in and every rich person who tries to get out.
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The Bill of Rights isn't some legalistic fine print. It was written to make our lives freer, more prosperous, and happier. By forsaking it, America has become no better than any other country in the world.
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While most people in TV, radio, and the press have treated me wonderfully, some of the most important people want to pretend I don't exist.
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It isn't possible to give government just a little control over the economy and our lives. Once we cede that power to government, it uses the power to take more from us. That's why every year the government controls more of our lives.
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Give government the weapons to fight your enemy and it will use them against you.
Harry Browne
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You have only one life, and no one else will live it for you. Shouldn't you take the time right now to figure out what that life is all about?
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For those looking for security, be forewarned that there's nothing more insecure than a political promise.
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Each person is living for himself his own happiness is all he can ever personally feel.
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Once we realize that government doesn't work, we will stop dreaming that this or that social problem can be solved by passing a law - or by creating a new government program - or by electing someone who will make Washington more efficient or cost-conscious.
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A fair trial is one in which the rules of evidence are honored, the accused has competent counsel, and the judge enforces the proper courtroom procedures - a trial in which every assumption can be challenged.
Harry Browne
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Government is a parasite-a cancer that by nature tries to spread deeper into society. Those who want to run others' lives won't give up and start minding their own business.
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When you give politicians the power to do what you think is right you're automatically giving politicians the power to do what you think is wrong.
Harry Browne
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When people do things for you, it's because they want to - because you, in some way, give them something meaningful that makes them want to please you, not because anyone owes you anything.
Harry Browne
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The best kept secret in the investing world: Almost nothing turns out as expected.
Harry Browne
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Profit is a reward for satisfying the desire of someone else.
Harry Browne
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In almost all matters, the real question should be: why are we letting government handle this?
Harry Browne
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We may not always recognize it, but government plays a bigger role in our lives than any other single person or institution. We spend nearly half of our lives working to pay for it. Children spend more time in government schools than they do with their parents. Birth, death, marriage, every area of our lives feels the influence of government.
Harry Browne
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The police can't stop an intruder, mugger, or stalker from hurting you. They can pursue him only after he has hurt or killed you. Protecting yourself from harm is your responsibility, and you are far less likely to be hurt in a neighborhood of gun-owners than in one of disarmed citizens - even if you don't own a gun yourself.
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World War II has always been of great interest to me. I've known for decades that it was just one more war the politicians suckered us into.
Harry Browne