quotations about politics
The statesman shears the sheep, the politician skins them.
AUSTIN O'MALLEY
Keystones of Thought
The one thing our Founding Fathers could not foresee -- they were farmers, professional men, businessmen giving of their time and effort to an idea that became a country -- was a nation governed by professional politicians who had an interest in getting re-elected. They probably envisioned a fellow serving a couple of hitches and then eagerly looking forward to getting back to the farm.
RONALD REAGAN
attributed, Wit and Wisdom of the American Presidents: A Book of Quotations
In politics, sunny days and rainy days can change very quickly.
GIULIO ANDREOTTI
"Giulio Andreotti: le frasi celebri e gli aforismi", L'Huffington Post, June 5, 2013
Nothing is irreparable in politics.
JEAN ANOUILH
The Lark
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.
AESOP
Aesop's Fables
Politics is war without bloodshed, while war is politics with bloodshed.
MAO ZEDONG
Mao's Selected Works
What good would politics be, if it didn't give everyone the opportunity to make moral compromises.
THOMAS MANN
The Magic Mountain
If you don't want a man unhappy politically, don't give him two sides to a question to worry him; give him one. Better yet, give him none.
RAY BRADBURY
Fahrenheit 451
Never underestimate the ego of a politician.
DAN BROWN
Deception Point
That is the nature of politics: poly, meaning more than one, and ticks, meaning blood-sucking parasites.
KINKY FRIEDMAN
attributed, "Poly-Ticks as Unusual", Nashville Scene, October 11, 2007
Plots, true or false, are necessary things,
To raise up commonwealths and ruin kings.
JOHN DRYDEN
Absalom and Achitophel
He knows nothing; and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career.
GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
Major Barbara
The radical invents the views. When he has worn them out the conservative adopts them.
MARK TWAIN
Mark Twain's Notebook
I mean, you know, this idea that somebody we disagree with on economic or social policy or something we have to turn into some kind of ogre or demon, I think, is a mistake. I mean, it's like telling the American people or half the American people that don't agree with you they're all fools. That's just not true.
BILL CLINTON
interview, Larry King Live, June 1, 2005
I'll show you politics in America. Here it is, right here. "I think the puppet on the right shares my beliefs." "I think the puppet on the left is more to my liking." "Hey, wait a minute, there's one guy holding out both puppets!"
BILL HICKS
Rant in E-Minor
In politics, when you're explaining, you're losing.
KEITH NAUGHTON
"Trump Has Not Changed Anything, Politics Is Still The Same", The Daily Caller, May 5, 2016
We, the most powerful democracy in the world, have developed a strong norm against talking about politics. It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with. Political discourse becomes isolated, and isolated discourse becomes more extreme. We say what our friends want to hear, and hear very little beyond what our friends say.
LAWRENCE LESSIG
Free Culture
People really don't care if politicians attack each other with untrue stories. They figure if you don't want to get hurt, you shouldn't have filed for office. They figure whatever happens to us, our lives will be better than theirs.
BILL CLINTON
speech at Campus Progress National Student Conference, July 13, 2005
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports.
GEORGE WASHINGTON
Farewell Address to the people of the United States, September 17, 1796
In politics, yesterday's lie is attacked only to flatter today's.
JEAN ROSTAND
The Substance of Man