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

It is impossible to tell which of the two dispositions we find in men is more harmful in a republic, that which seeks to maintain an established position or that which has none but seeks to acquire it.

The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all.

Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them.

If you must take care that your opinions do not differ in the least from those of the person with whom you are talking, you might just as well be alone.

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

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

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

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

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

Politics is the art of the possible.

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.