Politics, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.
—Ambrose Bierce, 1906Quotes
Let him who desires peace prepare for war.
—Vegetius, c. 385There is no method by which men can be both free and equal.
—Walter Bagehot, 1863I shall be an autocrat: that’s my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that’s his.
—Catherine the Great, c. 1796The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure it is right.
—Judge Learned Hand, 1944Out of the crooked timber of humanity no straight thing was ever made.
—Immanuel Kant, 1784The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all.
—G.K. Chesterton, 1908Envy is the basis of democracy.
—Bertrand Russell, 1930On the loftiest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own rump.
—Michel de Montaigne, 1580A riot is at bottom the language of the unheard.
—Martin Luther King Jr., c. 1967The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws.
—Tacitus, c. 117I am no courtesan, nor moderator, nor tribune, nor defender of the people: I am myself the people.
—Maximilien Robespierre, 1792My people and I have come to an agreement that satisfies us both. They are to say what they please, and I am to do what I please.
—Frederick the Great, c. 1770