Calvin Coolidge's Inaugural Address: Politics Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph.Line)

Quote #4

In a republic the first rule for the guidance of the citizen is obedience to law. Under a despotism the law may be imposed upon the subject. He has no voice in its making, no influence in its administration, it does not represent him. Under a free government the citizen makes his own laws, chooses his own administrators, which do represent him. Those who want their rights respected under the Constitution and the law ought to set the example themselves of observing the Constitution and the law (21.1-2, 5).

We hate to say it, but this line is lifted right out of George Washington's Farewell Address. See our "Compare and Contrast" section for the deets.