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.

The first requirement of a statesman is that he be dull.

Envy is the basis of democracy.

The U.S. presidency is a Tudor monarchy plus telephones.

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

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

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

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

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

Every country has the government it deserves.

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

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

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