Quotes

When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion -- when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing -- when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors -- when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don’t protect you against them, but protect them against you -- when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice -- you may know that your society is doomed.

O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth!

I know not what course others may take but as for me: Give me Liberty, or Give me Death!

Civilization does not have to perish. The brutes are winning only by default.

The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.

A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves.

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined.

Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.

Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

All power in human hands is liable to be abused.