Academic politics is the most vicious and bitter form of politics, because the stakes are so low

Academic politics is the most vicious and bitter form of politics, because the stakes are so low

If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have read more

If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain.

Politics, n: Poly "many" + tics "blood-sucking parasites"

Politics, n: Poly "many" + tics "blood-sucking parasites"

You had that action and counteraction which, in the natural and
in the political world, from the reciprocal struggle read more

You had that action and counteraction which, in the natural and
in the political world, from the reciprocal struggle of
discordant powers draws out the harmony of the universe.

Politics is almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous. In war you can only be killed once, but read more

Politics is almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous. In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times.

There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.

There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.

Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That read more

Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

You've got to be (an) optimist to be a Democrat, and you've got to be a humorist to stay one

You've got to be (an) optimist to be a Democrat, and you've got to be a humorist to stay one

It is necessary that I should qualify the doctrine of its being
not men, but measures, that I am read more

It is necessary that I should qualify the doctrine of its being
not men, but measures, that I am determined to support. In a
monarchy it is the duty of parliament to look at the men as well
as at the measures.