But thou know'st this,
'Tis time to fear when tyrants seem to kiss.

But thou know'st this,
'Tis time to fear when tyrants seem to kiss.

Every tyrant who has lived has believed in freedom--for himself.

Every tyrant who has lived has believed in freedom--for himself.

The closed door and the sealed lips are prerequisites to tyranny.

The closed door and the sealed lips are prerequisites to tyranny.

O nation miserable,
With an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptred,
When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again,
read more

O nation miserable,
With an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptred,
When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again,
Since that the truest issue of thy throne
By his own interdiction stands accursed
And does blaspheme his breed?

What is more cruel than a tyrant's ear?
[Lat., Quid violentius aure tyranni?]

What is more cruel than a tyrant's ear?
[Lat., Quid violentius aure tyranni?]

The world is made up for the most part of morons and natural tyrants, sure of themselves, strong in their read more

The world is made up for the most part of morons and natural tyrants, sure of themselves, strong in their own opinions, never doubting anything.

There is a secret pride in every human heart that revolts at tyranny. You may order and drive an individual, read more

There is a secret pride in every human heart that revolts at tyranny. You may order and drive an individual, but you cannot make him respect you.

Any excuse will serve a tyrant.

Any excuse will serve a tyrant.

Th' oppressive, sturdy, man-destroying villains,
Who ravag'd kingdoms, and laid empires waste,
And in a cruel wantonness read more

Th' oppressive, sturdy, man-destroying villains,
Who ravag'd kingdoms, and laid empires waste,
And in a cruel wantonness of power,
Thinn'd states of half their people, and gave up
To want the rest.