The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

I am no courtesan, nor moderator, nor tribune, nor defender of the people: I am myself the people.

The affairs of the world are no more than so much trickery, and a man who toils for money or honor or whatever else in deference to the wishes of others, rather than because his own desire or needs lead him to do so, will always be a fool.

An appeal to the reason of the people has never been known to fail in the long run.

Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them.

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

There is no method by which men can be both free and equal.

Television has made dictatorship impossible, but democracy unbearable.

Politics, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

The most hateful torment for men is to have knowledge of everything but power over nothing.

Out of the crooked timber of humanity no straight thing was ever made.

You should never have your best trousers on when you go out to fight for freedom and truth.

People revere the Constitution yet know so little about it—and that goes for some of my fellow senators.