Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That read more

Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich by promising to read more

Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich by promising to protect each from the other

An empty stomach is not a good political adviser.

An empty stomach is not a good political adviser.

University politics are vicious precisely because the stakes are so small.

University politics are vicious precisely because the stakes are so small.

In politics nothing is contemptible.

In politics nothing is contemptible.

Any 20 year-old who isn't a liberal doesn't have a heart, and any 40 year-old who isn't a conservative doesn't read more

Any 20 year-old who isn't a liberal doesn't have a heart, and any 40 year-old who isn't a conservative doesn't have a brain.

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.

If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie read more

If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.