Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half of the time.

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

There is nothing more tyrannical than a strong popular feeling among a democratic people.

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

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

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

I say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.

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

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.

O citizens, first acquire wealth; you can practice virtue afterward.

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

My 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.

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.