Envy is the basis of democracy.
—Bertrand Russell, 1930Quotes
The vice presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm piss.
—John Nance Garner, c. 1967Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them.
—Paul Valéry, 1943A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.
—George Bernard Shaw, 1944I shall be an autocrat: that’s my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that’s his.
—Catherine the Great, c. 1796All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.
—Al Smith, 1933I am no courtesan, nor moderator, nor tribune, nor defender of the people: I am myself the people.
—Maximilien Robespierre, 1792There is no method by which men can be both free and equal.
—Walter Bagehot, 1863I say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.
—H. Rap Brown, 1967The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects.
—LaoziNo 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.
—Hannah Arendt, 1958The most hateful torment for men is to have knowledge of everything but power over nothing.
—Herodotus, c. 425 BCYou should never have your best trousers on when you go out to fight for freedom and truth.
—Henrik Ibsen, 1882