An appeal to the reason of the people has never been known to fail in the long run.
—James Russell Lowell, c. 1865Quotes
Every country has the government it deserves.
—Joseph de Maistre, 1811The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all.
—G.K. Chesterton, 1908The vice presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm piss.
—John Nance Garner, c. 1967The Revolution is made by man, but man must forge his revolutionary spirit from day to day.
—Che Guevara, 1968My 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.
—Frederick the Great, c. 1770No human life, not even the life of a hermit, is possible without a world which directly or indirectly testifies to the presence of other human beings.
—Hannah Arendt, 1958Envy is the basis of democracy.
—Bertrand Russell, 1930The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure it is right.
—Judge Learned Hand, 1944Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail.
—Laozi, c. 500 BCPolitics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them.
—Paul Valéry, 1943Out of the crooked timber of humanity no straight thing was ever made.
—Immanuel Kant, 1784To be turned from one’s course by men’s opinions, by blame, and by misrepresentation shows a man unfit to hold office.
—Quintus Fabius Maximus, c. 203 BC