To be turned from one’s course by men’s opinions, by blame, and by misrepresentation shows a man unfit to hold office.

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

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.

Treaties, you see, are like girls and roses: they last while they last.

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

Why has the government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint.

The most hateful torment for men is to have knowledge of everything but power over nothing.

He may be a patriot for Austria, but the question is whether he is a patriot for me.

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

Let him who desires peace prepare for war.

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

Natural rights is simple nonsense: natural and imprescriptible rights, rhetorical nonsense—nonsense upon stilts.