They should not expect the state to provide for them since they are the ones that provide for the state.

Frédéric Bastiat
Pamphlets
Part 1

Before presenting his idea of what a budget should be, Frédéric Bastiat exposes the quirks of government which, according to him, lead to the situation when deficits are not under control anymore and debt explodes (which is a familiar situation, if there ever were!). In one word, it is what some call the “governmommy”.

Today’s quote reminds us of ideas already developed in the pamphlet The State, which is one of the most famous from the author.

Other quotes from Peace and Freedom:
Introduction – Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 – Conclusion