No 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, 1958Quotes
A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.
—George Bernard Shaw, 1944Every country has the government it deserves.
—Joseph de Maistre, 1811You have all the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.
—Aristophanes, c. 424 BCIt is a certain sign of a wise government and proceeding, when it can hold men’s hearts by hopes, when it cannot by satisfaction.
—Francis Bacon, 1625Out of the crooked timber of humanity no straight thing was ever made.
—Immanuel Kant, 1784The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects.
—LaoziYou should never have your best trousers on when you go out to fight for freedom and truth.
—Henrik Ibsen, 1882O citizens, first acquire wealth; you can practice virtue afterward.
—Horace, c. 8 BCThe U.S. presidency is a Tudor monarchy plus telephones.
—Anthony Burgess, 1972Politics, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.
—Ambrose Bierce, 1906Written 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.
—Anacharsis, c. 550 BCI am invariably of the politics of the people at whose table I sit, or beneath whose roof I sleep.
—George Borrow, 1843