Barry GoldwaterBarry Goldwater, (1909-1998) US Senator (R-Arizona)

Barry Goldwater Quote

“A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away.”

Barry GoldwaterBarry Goldwater
~ Barry Goldwater


Ratings and Comments


Alma Jurgensen, Stuart, FL

Am I wrong? But didn't pres. Ronald Reagan say the same thing?

David L. Rosenthal, Hollywood

So did my mother-in-law.

MK, Houston
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MK, Houston    2/1/06

...and we would do well to listen. Our founding fathers understood a profound principle--Government, with its monopoly on the use of force, is the ultimate danger to free people. It is necessary, but must be tightly reined...TIGHTLY. As another said, in effect: "A democracy's downfall begins when the people learn they can vote themselves money from the public coffers."

Joe, Rochester, MI

Government IS taking it all away.

Kevin Lee Hammond, San Francisco. Ca

All I can say is BEWARE THE NEW WORLD ORDER!

Anonymous, Santa Clara, CA

Ronald Reagan did say the same thing, but the original quote appearantly comes from Davy Crockett. Davy Crockett (1786-1836) born on Aug 17 "Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have."

Amber Cannon, Stratford, OK

The quote pretty much sums it up don't you think?

Daniel, Oregon

General Ford in an address to joint session of congress: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=4694#axzz1RgCdB0nW Not Barry Goldwater...

Marvin, Mars

This quote is more often ascribed to Gerald Ford.

Mike, Norwalk

The term 'government' brings to the mind's eye superiors in power, authority and in all ways lording over inferiors. In the de jure body politic of the States united, there were to be servants organized to protect and orderly administrate inalienable rights. The government which has replaced the constitutional body politic does exactly as the quote states - government gives and takes what ever it wants.

Mary - MI
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Mary - MI    2/18/16

It is very sad that Barry Goldwater did not win the position of POTUS against the vile and constitution shredding Lyndon Johnson.
If Goldwater had won he would have at least had the chance to teach and educate some of the populous who wished to learn that the federal government has no right to unlawfully overstep its limited constitutional authority.

jim k, Austin

No matter who said it, it's true.

Bobble, No. Ferrisburgh, VT

One of those "wise sayings" that ought to be printed on an 8 X 12 placard and hung in the living room. ( In the 1930's and 40's, my grandma had several around the house, 'most of them with a moral slant - she was from that period -- and many with the Biblical source printed at the bottom. )
I wonder if some enterprising young entrepreneur might not see a 'gold mine" and try a "start-up" business. They were, of course, follow-ups to the hand crocheted hangings that served the same purpose: reminders (to us) that "Who we THINK we are may not be who we ARE."

Ronw13, Logsden

Reviving the Language and intent of our Founding Fathers. Change the language, loose the understanding. Old ways are good ways. The Bundy cases come to the forefront. For the have nots, it seems they enjoy seeing what the haves have, when it is taken away !

SCSURFR, La Mirada

How funny, I always heard it was Thomas Jefferson who said that.

jim k, Austin

It's still true.

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