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Political philosophy quotations: Who authored the famous statement, 'That government is best which governs least'? Context: This maxim about limited government is closely associated with a 19th-century American thinker's essay on civil authority. Choose the correct author.

Difficulty: Easy

Henry David Thoreau
Thomas Jefferson
John Locke
Thomas Paine
James Madison

Correct Answer: Henry David Thoreau

Explanation:

Concept/ApproachThe maxim is widely associated with Henry David Thoreau from his essay Resistance to Civil Government (commonly titled Civil Disobedience), arguing for minimal state interference.

ClarificationThough sometimes attributed to Jefferson, the phrasing and argument are classically linked to Thoreau's transcendentalist critique of government.

Political philosophy quotations: Who authored the famous statement, 'That government is best which governs least'? Context: This maxim about limited government is closely associated with a 19th-century American thinker's essay on civil authority. Choose the correct author.

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