The end move in politics is always to pick up a gun.
—Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983) American Inventor, Philosopher
I adore political parties. They are the only place left to us where people don’t talk politics.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
I find myself… hoping a total end of all the unhappy divisions of mankind by party-spirit, which at best is but the madness of many for the gain of a few.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Resolved to ruin or to rule the state.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
I have always felt that a politician is to be judged by the animosities he excites among his opponents.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Real political issues cannot be manufactured by the leaders of parties, and cannot be evaded by them.—They declare themselves, and come out of the depths of that deep which we call public opinion.
—James A. Garfield (1831–81) American Head of State, Lawyer, Educator
Politics is a pendulum whose swings between anarchy and tyranny are fueled by perpetually rejuvenated illusions.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Fleas can be taught nearly anything that a Congressman can.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Any man with a fine shock of hair, a good set of teeth, and a bewitching smile can park his brains, if he has any, and run for public office.
—Unknown
Elected leaders who forget how they got there won’t the next time.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
The era of the political was one of anomie: crisis, violence, madness and revolution. The era of the trans-political is that of anomaly: an aberration of no consequence, contemporaneous with the event of no consequence.
—Jean Baudrillard (1929–2007) French Sociologist, Philosopher
It is an ancient political vehicle, held together by soft soap and hunger and with front-seat drivers and back-seat drivers contradicting each other in a bedlam of voices, shouting
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
Politics are now nothing more than means of rising in the world. With this sole view do men engage in politics, and their whole conduct proceeds upon it.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Ignorance makes most men go into a political party, and shame keeps them from getting out of it.
—E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax (1881–1959) British Politician, Political leader
Political correctness is the natural continuum from the party line. What we are seeing once again is a self-appointed group of vigilantes imposing their views on others. It is a heritage of communism, but they don’t seem to see this.
—Doris Lessing (1919–2013) British Novelist, Poet
To rely upon conviction, devotion, and other excellent spiritual qualities—that is not to be taken seriously in politics.
—Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924) Russian Revolutionary Leader
There is no Canaan in politics.—As health lies in labor, and there is no royal road to it but through toil, so there is no republican road to safety but in constant distrust.
—Wendell Phillips (1811–84) American Abolitionist, Lawyer, Orator
Politics are such a torment that I would advise every one I love not to mix with them.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
One can say that three pre-eminent qualities are decisive for the politician: passion, a feeling of responsibility, and a sense of proportion.
—Max Weber (1864–1920) German Sociologist
Since a politician never believes what he says, he is surprised when others believe him.
—Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970) French General, Statesman
As usual the Liberals offer a mixture of sound and original ideas. Unfortunately none of the sound ideas is original and none of the original ideas is sound.
—Harold Macmillan (1894–1986) British Head of State
Whether elected or appointed he considers himself the Lord’s anointed, and indeed the ointment lingers on him so thick you can’t get your fingers on him.
—Ogden Nash (1902–71) American Writer of Sophisticated Light Verse
Every man who takes office in Washington either grows or swells, and when I give a man an office, I watch him carefully to see whether he is growing or swelling.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
In politics… never retreat, never retract… never admit a mistake.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Finality is not the language of politics.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
He knows nothing and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
He serves his party best who serves his country best.
—Rutherford B. Hayes (1822–93) President of the United States
Politics is far more complicated than physics.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
I always considered statesmen to be more expendable than soldiers.
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) American Head of State
Bad officials are the ones elected by good citizens who do not vote.
—George Jean Nathan (1882–1958) American Drama Critic, Editor