Over my 38 years in Christian ministry I have often read or been sent some great quotes which reveal many a great truth. See what you think of these, I'm sure you have a whole other bunch which would be just as illustrative.
Mark Twain - If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed.
Solomon - Hear the instruction of your father and do no forsake the law of your mother, for they will be graceful ornaments on your head, and chains around your neck. Do not withhold correction from a child. Proverbs 1:8, 23:13.
Winston Churchill - I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
Solomon - When wisdom enters your heart and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you. (Proverbs 2:10)
George Bernard Shaw - A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
Solomon - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Do not be envious of the wicked, nor desire to be with them. Proverbs 3: 5-6, 24:1.
James Bovard Civil Libertarian - Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.
Solomon - The Lord hates (1) A proud look, (2) A lying tongue, (3) shedding innocent blood, (4) running to evil, (5) bearing false witness, (6) sewing discord. Proverbs 6: 16-19.
P J O'Rourke Civil Libertarian - Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
Solomon - With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, he did not know it would take his life. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold. Proverbs 7:21, 25:11.
Frederic Bestiat C19th French Economist - Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavours to live at the expense of everybody else.
Solomon - My fruit is better than gold, yes than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver, for whoever finds me finds life. Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Proverbs 8: 19, 35; 27::5.
Ronald Reagan - Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidise it.
Solomon - When a wicked man dies (1) his expectation will perish (2) as does his hope. He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind. Be diligent to know the state of your own flocks. Proverbs 11: 7, 29, 27: 23.
Voltaire (1764) - In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.
Solomon - A prudent man conceals knowledge, anxiety in the heart causes depression, choose your friends carefully, diligence is a man's precious possession. Proverbs 12: 24-28.
Perciles (430 BC) - Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you!
Solomon - There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death but in the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, a place of refuge, a fountain of life, instruction of wisdom. Proverbs 15
Mark Twain - No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Solomon - Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. To show partiality is not good. Proverbs 18: 21, 21: 2, 28:21.
Winston Churchill - The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.
Thomas Jefferson - A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
Solomon - When there is moral rot within a nation its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. If a ruler pays attention to lies all his servants become wicked. Proverbs 28:2, 29:12.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html