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

I say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.

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.

I am no courtesan, nor moderator, nor tribune, nor defender of the people: I am myself the people.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

People revere the Constitution yet know so little about it—and that goes for some of my fellow senators.

The first requirement of a statesman is that he be dull.

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

There is no method by which men can be both free and equal.

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

On the loftiest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own rump.

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.

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