The mystery of government is not how Washington works but how to make it stop.

The mystery of government is not how Washington works but how to make it stop.

I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies all right. But my damn friends. read more

I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies all right. But my damn friends. They're the ones that keep me walking the floor nights!

The whole art of politics consists in directing rationally the irrationalities of men.

The whole art of politics consists in directing rationally the irrationalities of men.

He too serves a certain purpose who only stands and cheers.

He too serves a certain purpose who only stands and cheers.

Voters don't decide issues, they decide who will decide issues.

Voters don't decide issues, they decide who will decide issues.

The kind of man who wants the government to adopt and enforce his ideas is always the kind of man read more

The kind of man who wants the government to adopt and enforce his ideas is always the kind of man whose ideas are idiotic.

There is nothing an economist should fear so much as applause.

There is nothing an economist should fear so much as applause.

Of government, at least in democratic states, it may be said briefly that it is an agency engaged wholesale, and read more

Of government, at least in democratic states, it may be said briefly that it is an agency engaged wholesale, and as a matter of solemn duty, in the performance of acts which all self-respecting individuals refrain from as a matter of common decency.

We vote too much. We deliberate too little. We have brought within the scope of the federal jurisdiction a vast read more

We vote too much. We deliberate too little. We have brought within the scope of the federal jurisdiction a vast number of subjects that do not belong here, but are nevertheless here. What we need to do is to stop passing laws. We have enough laws now to govern the world for the next ten thousand years.