As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.

As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.

The successful politician owes his power to the fact that he moves within the accepted framework of thought, that he read more

The successful politician owes his power to the fact that he moves within the accepted framework of thought, that he thinks and talks conventionally. It would be almost a contradiction in terms for a politician to be a leader in the field of ideas. His task in a democracy is to find out what the opinions held by the largest number are, not to give currency to new opinions which may become the majority view in some distant future.

In America, it is indispensable that every well wisher of true liberty should understand that acts of tyranny can only read more

In America, it is indispensable that every well wisher of true liberty should understand that acts of tyranny can only proceed from the publick. The publick, then, is to be watched, in this country, as, in other countries kings and aristocrats are to be watched.

The better part of statesmanship might be to know clearly and precisely what not to do.

The better part of statesmanship might be to know clearly and precisely what not to do.

Even a cursory glance at history should convince one that individual crimes committed for selfish motives play a quite insignificant read more

Even a cursory glance at history should convince one that individual crimes committed for selfish motives play a quite insignificant part in the human tragedy, compared to the numbers massacred in unselfish loyalty to one's tribe, nation, dynasty, church, or political ideology, ad majorem gloriam dei. The emphasis is on unselfish. Excepting a small minority of mercenary or sadistic disposition, wars are not fought for personal gain, but out of loyalty and devotion to king, country or cause. Homicide committed for personal reasons is a statistical rarity in all cultures, including our own. Homicide for unselfish reasons, at the risk of one's own life, is the dominant phenomenon of history.

He loved politicians - even Republicans.

He loved politicians - even Republicans.

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me. But it can keep him from lynching read more

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me. But it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.

Only enemies speak the truth. Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty.

Only enemies speak the truth. Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty.

Darkness yields to
starlight,
to the light of the rising
sun, and to the
light of the soul.

Darkness yields to
starlight,
to the light of the rising
sun, and to the
light of the soul.