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.

Natural rights is simple nonsense: natural and imprescriptible rights, rhetorical nonsense—nonsense upon stilts.

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.

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.

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

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

Envy is the basis of democracy.

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

The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects.

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

Television has made dictatorship impossible, but democracy unbearable.

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