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

The affairs of the world are no more than so much trickery, and a man who toils for money or honor or whatever else in deference to the wishes of others, rather than because his own desire or needs lead him to do so, will always be a fool.

Let him who desires peace prepare for war.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Envy is the basis of democracy.

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

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.