I say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.

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

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

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.

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

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

Television has made dictatorship impossible, but democracy unbearable.

The most hateful torment for men is to have knowledge of everything but power over nothing.

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

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

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

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

Politics is the art of the possible.