I have heard many times through the years Justice Holmes’s line that taxes are the price of civilization. Eugene Volokh provides us with an explanation of the source of the comment. Awesome! What is also interesting is the statement (via Findlaw.com) Justice Holmes makes before the famous quote:
It is true, as indicated in the last cited case, that every exaction of money for an act is a discouragement to the extent of the payment required, but that which in its immediacy is a discouragement may be part of an encouragement when seen in its organic connection with the whole. Taxes are what we pay for civilized society . . .