A riot is at bottom the language of the unheard.

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

The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects.

You have all the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.

Out of the crooked timber of humanity no straight thing was ever made.

Politics is the art of the possible.

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.

Let him who desires peace prepare for war.

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

The vice presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm piss.

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

Every country has the government it deserves.

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