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

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

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

Whether for good or evil, it is sadly inevitable that all political leadership requires the artifices of theatrical illusion. In the politics of a democracy, the shortest distance between two points is often a crooked line.

A real leader is somebody who can help us overcome the limitations of our own individual laziness and selfishness and weakness and fear and get us to do better, harder things than we can get ourselves to do on our own.

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

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

My people and I have come to an agreement that satisfies us both. They are to say what they please, and I am to do what I please.

I work for a government I despise for ends I think criminal.

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.

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

Every country has the government it deserves.

In politics, what begins in fear usually ends in folly.