An appeal to the reason of the people has never been known to fail in the long run.
—James Russell Lowell, c. 1865Quotes
The first requirement of a statesman is that he be dull.
—Dean Acheson, 1970It is impossible to tell which of the two dispositions we find in men is more harmful in a republic, that which seeks to maintain an established position or that which has none but seeks to acquire it.
—Niccolò Machiavelli, c. 1515I’m president of the United States, and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli!
—George H. W. Bush, 1990Written 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.
—Anacharsis, c. 550 BCI say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.
—H. Rap Brown, 1967The U.S. presidency is a Tudor monarchy plus telephones.
—Anthony Burgess, 1972Politics, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.
—Ambrose Bierce, 1906My people and I have come to an agreement that satisfies us both. They are to say what they please, and I am to do what I please.
—Frederick the Great, c. 1770I work for a government I despise for ends I think criminal.
—John Maynard Keynes, 1917Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them.
—Paul Valéry, 1943Every communist must grasp the truth: “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.”
—Mao Zedong, 1938Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
—Lord Acton, 1887