Scott Westerfeld Quotes

Optimism is the content of small men in high places.

'Twixt kings and tyrants there's this difference known: Kings seek their subjects' good, tyrants their own.

France was long a despotism tempered by epigrams.

… the imaginations of men are exceedingly prone to deify and worship them [kings]; though, to the great misfortune of mankind, they are more commonly fiends, than angels.

A king ruleth as he ought, a tyrant as he lists, a king to the profit of all, a tyrant only to please a few.

Divine right went out with the American Revolution and doesn't belong to the White House aides. What meat do they eat that makes them grow so great?

British chancellor is telling the rest of Europe it must abandon democracy. It's appalling.

The heights of popularity and patriotism are still the beaten road to power and tyranny.

But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.

I would not like a king who could obey.

I lack the strength needed to sustain the scepter. I abhorred it, but in the end I agreed to accept it in order to prevent evils to the country which was about to succumb anew, if not to the former slavery, at least to the horrors of anarchy.

Their authority over their slaves renders them vain and imperious.

It is better to be subject to the Laws under one Master, than to be subservient to many.

You are afraid of the one, I, of the few.... You are apprehensive of monarchy, I, of aristocracy.

It is the lot of a king to do well but to be ill spoken of.

He that plots to be the only figure among ciphers, is the decay of the whole age.

You can't be a dictator any more; anyone who tries to play the part of God will stumble.

I think best thing is to order a new stamp to be made with my face on it.

The Arrogance of Power

Sometimes it is said that man can not be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.

Queen of the Great Democracy

The best of all Rulers is only a shadowy presence to his subjects. Next comes the ruler they love and praise; Then comes one they fear; And then one with whom they take liberties.

All Kings are to be reckon'd amongst ravenous Beasts

Put not your trust and confidence in kings and princes.

The President seems a bad edition of a Polish King.