Politics and Power

Anarchism is a game at which the police can beat you.

Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few.

Englishmen never will be slaves: they are free to do whatever the Government and public opinion allow them to do.

He knows nothing; and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career.

Nothing is ever done in this world until men are prepared to kill one another if it is not done.

You have to choose (as a voter) between trusting to the natural stability of gold and the natural stability of the honesty and intelligence of the members of the Government. And, with due respect for these gentlemen, I advise you, as long as the Capitalist system lasts, to vote for gold.

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

Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world

One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny.

I have got such a bully pulpit!

To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.

One of our defects as a nation is a tendency to use what have been called ‘weasel words’. When a weasel sucks eggs the meat is sucked out of the egg. If you use a ‘weasel word’ after another, there is nothing left of the other.

Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.

I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people.

Is there anything we can do for you? For you are the one in trouble now.

An evil empire.

A cynical, mercenary, demagogic, corrupt press will produce in time a people as base as itself.

Our Republic and its press will rise or fall together.

Party-spirit, which at best is but the madness of many for the gain of a few.

Coffee, (which makes the politician wise,

Here thou, great Anna! whom three realms obey,

For forms of government let fools contest;

I am his Highness’ dog at Kew;

For we are told that when a certain man was accusing both of them to him, he [Caesar] said that he had no fear of those fat and long-haired fellows, but rather of those pale and thin ones.