On the loftiest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own rump.

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

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

In politics, what begins in fear usually ends in folly.

Envy is the basis of democracy.

Politics is the art of the possible.

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

The vice presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm piss.

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.

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

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

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

Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail.