The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.
—H.L. Mencken, 1921Quotes
No 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, 1958The U.S. presidency is a Tudor monarchy plus telephones.
—Anthony Burgess, 1972All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.
—Al Smith, 1933It is a certain sign of a wise government and proceeding, when it can hold men’s hearts by hopes, when it cannot by satisfaction.
—Francis Bacon, 1625I say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.
—H. Rap Brown, 1967O citizens, first acquire wealth; you can practice virtue afterward.
—Horace, c. 8 BCEvery country has the government it deserves.
—Joseph de Maistre, 1811Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them.
—Paul Valéry, 1943Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail.
—Laozi, c. 500 BCPolitics, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.
—Ambrose Bierce, 1906Written laws are like spiderwebs: they will catch, it is true, the weak and poor but would be torn in pieces by the rich and powerful.
—Anacharsis, c. 550 BCTreaties, you see, are like girls and roses: they last while they last.
—Charles de Gaulle, 1963