Gore Vidal Quotes

Insofar as the church fails to do the will of God, I am called upon to help it discover and to do the will of God; and I am called upon to help the government to do the same.

Religion did not exist for the saving of souls but for the preservation and welfare of society, and in all that was necessary to this end every man had to take his part, or break with the domestic and political community to which he belonged.

Somewhere along the line, the actions of this government are the actions of me.

The happiness of society is the end of government.

No, we are not the master of the state, said King. We are not the servant of the state. We are the conscience of the state. The churches or the religious community should be, I think, the conscience of the state. We're not just service providers.

And I don't think that government has a role in telling people how to live their lives. Maybe a minister does, maybe your belief in God does, maybe there's another set of moral codes, but I don't think government has a role.

Government can contribute to a shared sense of purpose on the part of the citizenry; that's its highest and best application.

The profound influence of religion on American politics is vital, but it is best when indirect: on the morals, habits, and souls of individual Americans; on the political climate and the principals that should guide policy, rather than on specific policies themselves…

The members of the Church, as members of society, have the same right and duty to promote the common good as do other citizens.

The final end of government is not to exert restraint but to do good.

We can’ t renew our country unless more of us—I mean all of us—are willing to join churches.

We need government to do for the people what they cannot do for themselves.

The American Government will be what we all make of it.

Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best stage, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one.

Christians who have influence in political life must feel as individuals responsibility in front of their own faith. And the duty of encouraging laws that are not in contradiction with the Commandments comes within the mission of the Church.

We are stronger because we recognize that government isn't the sole answer to the most important questions, and we welcome community and faith based organizations as partners to serve the needs of Florida families.

Voting is a right that has been given to every American; however, as Christ followers, our votes should reflect our God.

I believe nobody is stronger than the state. So the state would be strong, and we have to work altogether to make the strength of the state.

To sit back and say, 'Oh, we're going to let the government do whatever they want, right or wrong,' is giving up.

To comprehend the Wisdom of this Injunction the better, and explain the Duty before us, it should be considered, that Government is the only Means by which human Happiness can be attained.

Everyone living under the social contract we call democracy has a duty to act responsibly, to obey the laws, and to abandon certain types of self-interested behaviors that conflict with the general good.

A healthy society rests on three pillars: business, government and civil society, or non-profits. Each has a distinct and important role to play, and all three need to work together synergistically to create the most value for society.

I have a lifelong devotion to public service.

We do not just blindly concede control to authorities; instead we follow the cues provided by our moral communities on how best to behave.

Everybody is supposed to be a part of their own community.