You have all the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.

Television has made dictatorship impossible, but democracy unbearable.

On the loftiest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own rump.

A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.

What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him your celebration is a sham.

Why has the government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint.

In politics, what begins in fear usually ends in folly.

To be turned from one’s course by men’s opinions, by blame, and by misrepresentation shows a man unfit to hold office.

Sic semper tyrannis! The South is avenged.

Treaties, you see, are like girls and roses: they last while they last.

A real leader is somebody who can help us overcome the limitations of our own individual laziness and selfishness and weakness and fear and get us to do better, harder things than we can get ourselves to do on our own.

You should never have your best trousers on when you go out to fight for freedom and truth.

My people and I have come to an agreement that satisfies us both. They are to say what they please, and I am to do what I please.