WIST Quotations

Rogers, Will -- Column (1931-02-27), “Daily Telegram”

Dave — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 15:54:42 +0000

The whole trouble with the Republicans is their fear of an increase in income tax, especially on higher incomes. They speak of it almost like a national calamity. I really believe if it come to a vote whether to go to war with England, France and Germany combined, or raise the rate on incomes of over $100,000, they would vote war.

Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist
Column (1931-02-27), “Daily Telegram”
(Source)

Broun, Heywood -- (Attributed)

Dave — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 14:49:44 +0000

Any reasonable system of taxation should be based on the slogan of “Soak the Rich.”

Heywood Broun (1888-1939) American journalist, author
(Attributed)

Atkinson, Brooks -- Once Around the Sun, “March 1” (1951)

Dave — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 02:49:58 +0000

The power to tax is the power to rule.

Brooks Atkinson (1894-1984) American drama critic and journalist
Once Around the Sun, “March 1” (1951)
(Source)

See also John Marshall.

Burke, Edmund -- “American Taxation,” speech, House of Commons (19 Apr 1774)

Dave — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 23:50:25 +0000

To tax and to please, no more than to love and be wise, is not given to men.

Edmund Burke (1729-1797) Anglo-Irish statesman, orator, philosopher
“American Taxation,” speech, House of Commons (19 Apr 1774)

Jefferson, Thomas -- Letter (1786-08-13) to George Wythe

Dave — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 13:13:45 +0000

Preach, my dear Sir, a crusade against ignorance; establish and improve the law for educating the common people. Let our countrymen know that the people alone can protect us against these evils, and that the tax which will be paid for this purpose is not more than the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests and nobles who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter (1786-08-13) to George Wythe
(Source)

Rogers, Will -- Column (1923-04-08), “Weekly Article: How To Stop the Bootleggin'” [No. 17]

Dave — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:41:57 +0000

The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has. Even when you make one out on the level, you don’t know when it’s through if you are a crook or a martyr.

Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist
Column (1923-04-08), “Weekly Article: How To Stop the Bootleggin'” [No. 17]
(Source)

Collected in The Illiterate Digest, "Helping the Girls With Their Income Taxes" (1924).

For more discussion of this quote's origins and variants, see Quote Origin: The Income Tax Has Made More Liars Out of the American People Than Golf Has – Quote Investigator®.