Quotes on Politics

Of what does politics consist except the making of imperfect decisions, many of them unjust and quite a few of them deadly?

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.

One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.

Vote for the man who promises least; he'll be the least disappointing.

Where annual elections end where slavery begins.

It is inexcusable for scientists to torture animals; let them make their experiments on journalists and politicians.

We mean by 'politics' the people's business - the most important business there is.

Ninety eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hardworking, honest Americans. It's the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then, we elected them.

I seldom think of politics more than eighteen hours a day.

The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.

Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion.

I am not deeply involved in Australian politics but I know there are prime ministers, governments around the world who are not acting responsibly in relation to climate change.

Remember one thing about democracy. We can have anything we want and at the same time, we always end up with exactly what we deserve.

If we lived within our means - by being prudent - the 7 billion people in the world could have everything they needed. Global politics should be moving in that direction. But we think as people and countries, not as a species.

When a man assumes a public trust he should consider himself a public property.

The palace is not safe when the cottage is not happy.

The sad duty of politics is to establish justice in a sinful world.

If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game, and dumb enough to think it's important.

All bad precedents begin as justifiable measures.

Politics is perhaps the only profession for which no preparation is thought necessary.