Every country has the government it deserves.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sic semper tyrannis! The South is avenged.

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

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

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

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

A riot is at bottom the language of the unheard.