You should never have your best trousers on when you go out to fight for freedom and truth.
—Henrik Ibsen, 1882Quotes
The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure it is right.
—Judge Learned Hand, 1944I am no courtesan, nor moderator, nor tribune, nor defender of the people: I am myself the people.
—Maximilien Robespierre, 1792You campaign in poetry. You govern in prose.
—Mario Cuomo, 1985An appeal to the reason of the people has never been known to fail in the long run.
—James Russell Lowell, c. 1865I work for a government I despise for ends I think criminal.
—John Maynard Keynes, 1917I say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.
—H. Rap Brown, 1967I shall be an autocrat: that’s my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that’s his.
—Catherine the Great, c. 1796Envy is the basis of democracy.
—Bertrand Russell, 1930O citizens, first acquire wealth; you can practice virtue afterward.
—Horace, c. 8 BCThe vice presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm piss.
—John Nance Garner, c. 1967The first requirement of a statesman is that he be dull.
—Dean Acheson, 1970There is nothing more tyrannical than a strong popular feeling among a democratic people.
—Anthony Trollope, 1862