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

Written laws are like spiderwebs: they will catch, it is true, the weak and poor but would be torn in pieces by the rich and powerful.

Why has the government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint.

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

If you must take care that your opinions do not differ in the least from those of the person with whom you are talking, you might just as well be alone.

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

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

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

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

Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half of the time.

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

To be turned from one’s course by men’s opinions, by blame, and by misrepresentation shows a man unfit to hold office.

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