All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.

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

Sic semper tyrannis! The South is avenged.

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

Every communist must grasp the truth: “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.”

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure it is right.

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

You should never have your best trousers on when you go out to fight for freedom and truth.

You campaign in poetry. You govern in prose.

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

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

The affairs of the world are no more than so much trickery, and a man who toils for money or honor or whatever else in deference to the wishes of others, rather than because his own desire or needs lead him to do so, will always be a fool.

Every country has the government it deserves.