A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.

Whether for good or evil, it is sadly inevitable that all political leadership requires the artifices of theatrical illusion. In the politics of a democracy, the shortest distance between two points is often a crooked line.

You have all the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.

Sic semper tyrannis! The South is avenged.

Every communist must grasp the truth: “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.”

There is nothing more tyrannical than a strong popular feeling among a democratic people.

All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.

The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects.

Natural rights is simple nonsense: natural and imprescriptible rights, rhetorical nonsense—nonsense upon stilts.

It is a certain sign of a wise government and proceeding, when it can hold men’s hearts by hopes, when it cannot by satisfaction.

O citizens, first acquire wealth; you can practice virtue afterward.

Let him who desires peace prepare for war.

I say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.