Envy is the basis of democracy.

I shall be an autocrat: that’s my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that’s his.

There is nothing more tyrannical than a strong popular feeling among a democratic people.

Politics is the art of the possible.

The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all.

He may be a patriot for Austria, but the question is whether he is a patriot for me.

The U.S. presidency is a Tudor monarchy plus telephones.

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

The vice presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm piss.

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

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Let him who desires peace prepare for war.

Natural rights is simple nonsense: natural and imprescriptible rights, rhetorical nonsense—nonsense upon stilts.