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

No human life, not even the life of a hermit, is possible without a world which directly or indirectly testifies to the presence of other human beings.

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.

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

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

Let him who desires peace prepare for war.

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

No free man shall be taken or imprisoned or dispossessed or outlawed or exiled, or in any way destroyed, nor will we go upon him, nor will we send against him except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.

I shall be an autocrat: that’s my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that’s his.

Politics is the art of the possible.

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

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure it is right.

Envy is the basis of democracy.