Archive

Quotes

In politics, what begins in fear usually ends in folly.

—Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1830

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

—Judge Learned Hand, 1944

All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.

—Al Smith, 1933

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

—Anthony Trollope, 1862

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

—Quintus Fabius Maximus, c. 203 BC

The Revolution is made by man, but man must forge his revolutionary spirit from day to day.

—Che Guevara, 1968

There is no method by which men can be both free and equal.

—Walter Bagehot, 1863

It is a certain sign of a wise government and proceeding, when it can hold men’s hearts by hopes, when it cannot by satisfaction.

—Francis Bacon, 1625

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

—Maximilien Robespierre, 1792

Politics is the art of the possible.

—Otto von Bismarck, 1867

The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws.

—Tacitus, c. 117

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.

—Yoshida Kenko, c. 1330

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

—Catherine the Great, c. 1796