The Revolution is made by man, but man must forge his revolutionary spirit from day to day.

My 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.

Sic semper tyrannis! The South is avenged.

Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half of the time.

You campaign in poetry. You govern in prose.

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

Politics, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

Out of the crooked timber of humanity no straight thing was ever made.

It is a certain sign of a wise government and proceeding, when it can hold men’s hearts by hopes, when it cannot by satisfaction.

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

I’m president of the United States, and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli!

The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws.

Written laws are like spiderwebs: they will catch, it is true, the weak and poor but would be torn in pieces by the rich and powerful.