Politics and Power

Every dictator is an enemy of freedom, an opponent of law.

Even when laws have been written down, they ought not always to remain unaltered.

A constitution is the arrangement of magistracies in a state.

Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms.

Man is by nature a political animal.

It is clearly better that property should be private, but the use of it common; and the special business of the legislator is to create in men this benevolent disposition.

Therefore, the good of man must be the end of the science of politics.

The most perfect political community is one in which the middle class is in control, and outnumbers both of the other classes.

Under every stone lurks a politician.

In every tyrant's heart there springs in the end this poison, that he cannot trust a friend.

Death is softer by far than tyranny.

Whoever is new to power is always harsh.

I think I can say, and say with pride, that we have some legislatures that bring higher prices than any in the world.

God made the Idiot for practice, and then He made the School Board.

That's the difference between governments and individuals. Governments don't care, individuals do.

There are two things nobody should ever have to watch being made, sausage and laws.

Men think they think upon the great political questions, and they do; but they think with their party, not independently; they read its literature, but not that of the other side

I suppose, just as an honest man in politics shines more than he would elsewhere.

The rule is perfect: in all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane.

The principle of give and take is the principle of diplomacy - give one and take ten

Trial by jury is the palladium of our liberties. I do not know what a palladium is, but I am sure it is a good thing!

Politicians, old buildings, and prostitutes become respectable with age.

An honest politician is an oxymoron.

Every citizen of the republic ought to consider himself an unofficial policeman, and keep unsalaried watch and ward over the laws and their execution.