Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of read more

This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer.

The conception that government should be guided by majority opinion makes sense only if that opinion is independent of government. read more

The conception that government should be guided by majority opinion makes sense only if that opinion is independent of government. The ideal of democracy rests on the belief that the view which will direct government emerges from an independent and spontaneous process. It requires, therefore, the existence of a large sphere independent of majority control in which the opinions of the individuals are formed.

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

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

He has been called a mediocre man; but this is unwarranted flattery. He was a politician of monumental littleness.

He has been called a mediocre man; but this is unwarranted flattery. He was a politician of monumental littleness.

Freedom has cost too much blood and agony to be relinquished at the cheap price of rhetoric.

Freedom has cost too much blood and agony to be relinquished at the cheap price of rhetoric.

Never befriend the oppressed unless you are prepared to take on the oppressor.

Never befriend the oppressed unless you are prepared to take on the oppressor.

He who knows how to flatter also knows how to slander.

He who knows how to flatter also knows how to slander.

I met someone on the street who said wasn't it great that we're going to have a movie star for read more

I met someone on the street who said wasn't it great that we're going to have a movie star for president, that it was so Pop, and (laughs) when you think about it like that, it is great, it's so American.