Civil government, so far as it is instituted for the security of property, is in reality instituted for the defense of the rich against the poor, or of those who have some property against those who have none at all.

-Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations, Book V, Chapter I, Part II, 775


To think that because those who wield power in society wield in the end that of government, therefore it is of no use to attempt to influence the constitution of the government by acting on opinion, is to forget that opinion is itself one of the greatest active social forces. One person with a belief is a social power equal to ninety-nine who have only interests.
-John Stuart Mill, Ch. I: To What Extent Forms of Government Are a Matter of Choice (p. 155)

Let's see if we can get more quotes into this thread.