Harry BrowneHarry Browne, (1933-2006) American libertarian writer, politician, and free-market investment analyst. Libertarian candidate for US President 1996 & 2000

Harry Browne Quote

“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.”

Harry BrowneHarry Browne
~ Harry Browne

Pamphlet: Harry Browne, Why I’m Running for President. 1995.

Ratings and Comments


jim k, Austin, Tx

This quote sums government up perfectly, just look inside the Beltway for proof, and not just D.C., it goes on in local, county, and state governments as well. Check out "The Institute of Justice" and you will be amazed at the corruption at all levels.

J Carlton, Calgary

Government is indeed a parasite when left to its own ends. This was well known by the Founding Father's and this is why they gave us the Constitution. There exists now a direct correlation between general corruption and the abandonment of the founding principles. End the Fed, Restore the Republic.

Mike, Norwalk

jim is right. The occupying statist theocracy infesting this land (at all levels) is a parasitic hegemony, no longer a lawful servant of We The People.

Anonymous, Reston, VA, US

Society only exists to the extent that there is a moderating force and that force is called government... so it seems he wants humans to devolve back to a cave life...

J Carlton, Calgary

Reston obviously sees her fellow man as nothing more than a troop of apes to be whipped into shape. The arrogance is astounding.

Ken, Allyn, WA

Government begins with a man who is strong enough to force his will on other people and gives himself a title of King. The only difference between government and organized crime is that government has bestowed on itself the right to determine what is "legal."

E Archer, NYC

Society exists without help, Reston. And because not everyone agrees how people should live, the power has not been given to a select few to shape society to their will. Government is nothing but other people with the same rights as everyone else. When they assume power over us, then they have abused the powers entrusted to them -- this is in essence treason. No one man should rule the rest and no group of men should rule either. The individual must rule him/herself and harvest we he/she sows. Any attempt to pass on that responsibility to someone else by force is robbery -- and they are not content with simply a pension, they then have 'ideas' on what everyone should do, too. Collectivist group-think is a crutch for cowards who fear the animating contest of freedom. It should be a crime to make yourself a slave.

Kimo, US of A

Steadily, for the last 40 years, one law after another, all true. now, it has reached the climaxe, to the point men are thinking od revolt, {why hide it we here it every day] We know its true, and wrong, becuase the people who are angry, are the ones who are law abiding people, good men and women, who worked hard, who excelled, only to find thier labors are being stolen, thier goverment is not on thier side. And more, much much more. Archer, sir, yes it IS treason, let us not call it by any other name, let us not candy cote it, let us not shrink from the truth of waht is happenning. The USA does NOT have a king, nor are our laws wtitten the way obama is doing things. Just wrong, illigal. I dont have the ability anumore to write so well as some, but i undersatnd the great injustice, and i see it. Where i live, has been a model for thier agenda, anyone want to see what it does to a society, come to Molokai Hawaii, sad, hopeless, mostly a welfare isalnd, the effects of it are very visible, theft, morals gone, no character, and lack of rule of law. And very racial. They have made it so private contractors cant get work, only thier "people' all true. Archer, run for office, sincerly, i mean that.

Kimo, USA
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    Kimo, USA    12/22/11

    There is so much known to all of us now, so complex, so to make it simple, the answer is simple, a FULL RETURN TO THE CONSTITUTION, and removing all unconstitutional laws NOW

    Tony, Sandpoint

    Government actions are never truly for the purported people or purpose but are for politicians and bureaucrats power, 'profit', and privilege.

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