Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Charles Alan Murray Quote “We believe that human happiness requires freedom and that freedom requires limited government.” ~ Charles Alan Murray (1943-) American libertarian political scientist, author, columnist, and punditWhat It Means to Be a Libertarian: A Personal Interpretation (New York: Broadway Books, 1997), p. xi Freedom , Government , Happiness Ratings and Comments Reply Mike, Norwalk 5/18/07 Some persons prefer numb, a non-awake existence, a slave mentality, the limitations of immorality, etc. etc. to that of freedom and true happiness. I believe that ultimate human happiness and joy require freedom. Reply helorat, Milton 5/18/07 Amen to Mr. Murray And Mike! Reply Joe, Rochester, MI 5/18/07 In a free country, a person may choose a numb, sleepy, slave existence. A problem arises when a less-than-limited government steals our hard earned money to give it to sleeping slaves, and others outside our country. Reply E Archer, NYC 5/18/07 Absolutely! And upon those principles our government was constituted. Reply Ken, Allyn, WA 5/18/07 Who are the most miserable people in the world? The so-called liberals. Reply Anonymous, Reston, VA US 5/19/07 Hog wash, the two are orthogonal. Freedom can be found both with a limited government, and within an active one that cares for its down trodden (as my religion teaches we all should do). And Ken is way off base, happiness is not a function of being liberal or conservative (though I do observe that most of the radical right is deeply full of irrational fears, but they seem very happy to wallow in their fears). Reply Eric, Wichita, KS 5/23/07 Sorry Anon, poor word choice on your part. Limited government perforce means increased freeedom, and yes that means the freedom to starve if you cannot or will not compete. Reply Waffler, Smith, Arkansas 1/1/08 Freedom comes from limited population. The pioneers kept moving west as the east got more crowded. The pioneers were liberal in helping each. The first laws gining women rights and political power was in the free and liberal American West. Apparently Ken never heard of Scrooge (and that is a shame at this time of year) who is the quintessential and essence of the me first conservative. As we know when Scrooge became a liberal and doubled his employees salary, he Scrooge became a very happy man. Liberals are only miserable because of the stupidity of the non-liberals like the ones who attack global warming as a left wing/liberal media driven lie. Wake up folks to the stupidiy around us especial in the conservative ranks! Reply warren, olathe 1/2/08 The minute that government starts to care for the downtrodden in a monetary way it becomes a tyrant. The politicians create a class warfare propaganda system to try to shame anyone that opposes any restraint on the giveaway spending. Those that want to help in a real way to improve the lives of the less fortunate are called heartless or right wing extremists. While the "Good" guys build a system to entrap the poor in a perpetual state of dependence so as to keep them as loyal voters. Reply Josiah, GI 2/16/08 People do not need freedom to be happy because you can always be happy when you are in jail. But freedom does require limited government with a Biblical basis. Reply Floyd Hyatt Jr., Cincinnati Ohio 10/29/08 Reply Upoznavanja, ny 3/18/11 I love this game :) Reply watchman 13, USA 12/30/13 Limited government meaning keep them out of your pockets.Freedom from oppression. We are as free today, there are more that do steal through usury today. But that's ok ? I don't think so. Get a grip Waffler. You must like strip joints by the high school to, that's pretty liberal. Reply James, Crossville, TN 12/30/13 Reply Mike, Norwalk 12/30/13 watchman 13, Waffler over the years has said some pretty amazing things like, rape is ok if the majority vote it in. He's all for full blown democracy (man being god with ability to create law). Reply jim k, Austin, Tx 12/31/13 Anonymous and Reston are nuts but Josiah's comment is a little peculiar. I haven't seen too many people who were happy in jail. Maybe a few who" have found Jesus" but they all seem happy to leave Jesus in and get themselves out of prison. And what on earth is " limited government with a Biblical basis". Certainly not the Old Testament basis. I suspect that limited government is paying attention to the Constitution which our government never does. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Charles Alan Murray quote is found in these categories: Freedom quotes Government quotes Happiness quotes About Charles Alan Murray Bio of Charles Alan Murray Quotations by Charles Alan Murray Books by/about Charles Alan Murray Charles Alan Murray videos Charles Alan Murray on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Charles Alan Murray