A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Envy is the basis of democracy.

Sic semper tyrannis! The South is avenged.

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.

Treaties, you see, are like girls and roses: they last while they last.

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

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

I am invariably of the politics of the people at whose table I sit, or beneath whose roof I sleep.

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

Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail.

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

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