A couple of quotes that seem appropriate to current conditions:

From Codrea:
"Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption for authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."

From Mamet:
Contemporary Liberal sentiment endorses the abrogation or elaboration of law to ensure that NO one suffers, but the first and most important task of law in a democracy is not to right individual wrongs, but to ensure that no one suffers because of the state. And the simple, tragic truth is that this may be accomplished not by a Czar or committee, or by reorganization, or by accession to office of the Benevolent or Wise, but only by limiting the State’s power.