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.

Men say I am a saint losing himself in politics. The fact is that I am a politician trying my read more

Men say I am a saint losing himself in politics. The fact is that I am a politician trying my hardest to become a saint.

Away with the cant of "Measures not men!"--the idle supposition
that it is the harness and not the horses read more

Away with the cant of "Measures not men!"--the idle supposition
that it is the harness and not the horses that draw the chariot
along. No Sir, if the comparison must be made, if the
distinction must be taken, men are everything, measures
comparatively nothing.

Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of read more

Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.

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.

The White Plume of Navarre.

The White Plume of Navarre.

In war, you can only be killed once, but in politics, many times.

In war, you can only be killed once, but in politics, many times.

Politics is the art of preventing people from sticking their noses in things that are properly their business.

Politics is the art of preventing people from sticking their noses in things that are properly their business.

It is a condition which confronts us--not a theory.

It is a condition which confronts us--not a theory.