Who said “That government is best which governs least.”?

Verified

Henry David Thoreau. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceCivil Disobedience (1849)

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Civil Disobedience (1849).

APA

Thoreau, H. D. (n.d.). That government is best which governs least. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/16857-that-government-is-best-which-governs-least/

MLA

Thoreau, Henry David. “That government is best which governs least.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/16857-that-government-is-best-which-governs-least/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Thoreau, Henry David. “That government is best which governs least.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/16857-that-government-is-best-which-governs-least/.

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