Economics has become increasingly an arcane branch of mathematics rather than dealing with real economic problems.

A society that puts equality before freedom will get neither. A society that puts freedom before equality will get a high degree of both.

If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand.

Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.

You cannot be sure that you are right unless you understand the arguments against your views better than your opponents do.

The essential notion of a capitalist society ... is voluntary cooperation, voluntary exchange. The essential notion of a socialist society is force.

I am favor of cutting taxes under any circumstances and for any excuse, for any reason, whenever it's possible.

The great advances of civilization, whether in architecture or painting, in science or literature, in industry or agriculture, have never come from centralized government.

Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.

You cannot simultaneously have free immigration and a welfare state.

The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem.

I love my beauty. It's not my fault.

Inside every lawyer is the wreck of a poet.

Your federal government needs your money so that it can perform vital services for you that you would not think up yourself in a million years.

I'm looking for the surprises, you know, and the unexpected moments of technology, the unexpected moments of musical creation.

The photographer’s vision convinces us to the degree that the photographer hides his hand.

I'm not a cheater. I've never cheated in my life.

I don't want to always be doing the same old thing.

As the world gets smaller and communication spreads further and further out there, you try to find the right balance.

Sure, I'm an optimistic, joyous person, but I'm also afraid and insecure.

No one can live under degradation.