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

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

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

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

I’m president of the United States, and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli!

The affairs of the world are no more than so much trickery, and a man who toils for money or honor or whatever else in deference to the wishes of others, rather than because his own desire or needs lead him to do so, will always be a fool.

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

It 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.

Envy is the basis of democracy.

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

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

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

I say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.