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

No human life, not even the life of a hermit, is possible without a world which directly or indirectly testifies to the presence of other human beings.

The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all.

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Politics is the art of the possible.

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.

A real leader is somebody who can help us overcome the limitations of our own individual laziness and selfishness and weakness and fear and get us to do better, harder things than we can get ourselves to do on our own.

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

On the loftiest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own rump.

You have all the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.

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

Out of the crooked timber of humanity no straight thing was ever made.