All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.
—Al Smith, 1933Quotes
There is no method by which men can be both free and equal.
—Walter Bagehot, 1863The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all.
—G.K. Chesterton, 1908Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half of the time.
—E.B. White, 1944You have all the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.
—Aristophanes, c. 424 BCThe most hateful torment for men is to have knowledge of everything but power over nothing.
—Herodotus, c. 425 BCTo be turned from one’s course by men’s opinions, by blame, and by misrepresentation shows a man unfit to hold office.
—Quintus Fabius Maximus, c. 203 BCPower tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
—Lord Acton, 1887Every communist must grasp the truth: “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.”
—Mao Zedong, 1938The first requirement of a statesman is that he be dull.
—Dean Acheson, 1970I’m president of the United States, and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli!
—George H. W. Bush, 1990I say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.
—H. Rap Brown, 1967My 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.
—Frederick the Great, c. 1770