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

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

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

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

An appeal to the reason of the people has never been known to fail in the long run.

Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them.

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

Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail.

Sic semper tyrannis! The South is avenged.

Let him who desires peace prepare for war.

What experience and history teach is this—that nations and governments have never learned anything from history or acted upon any lessons they might have drawn from it.

I work for a government I despise for ends I think criminal.

Every country has the government it deserves.