Politicians Quotes

I’ll tell you what’s at the bottom of it. If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.

Do you not know, my son, with how little wisdom the world is governed?

For years, we've been bludgeoned with the cliche "information is power." But information isn't power. After all, who's got the most information in your neighborhood? Librarians. And they're famous for having no power at all. And who has the most power in your community? Politicians. And they're notorious for being ill-informed.

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.

I think politicians and movie actors … are similar in more ways than they’re different. There is an egocentric quality about both; there is a very sensitive awareness of the public attitude, because you live or die on public favor or disfavor. There is the desire for publicity and for acclaim, because, again, that’s part of your life... And in a strange and bizarre way, when movie actors come to Washington, they’re absolutely fascinated by the politicians. And when the politicians go to Hollywood, they’re absolutely fascinated by the movie stars. It’s a kind of reciprocity of affection by people who both recognize in a sense they’re in the same racket.

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.

Politicians are actors, too, don't you think? Usually, if you like people and you're outgoing, not a shy little thing, you can do pretty well in politics.

Nothing is so difficult as not deceiving oneself

Do not judge a politician until the coffin closes.

Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.

Politicians are a lot like diapers. They should be changed frequently and for the same reason.

You can fool some of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time. That’s usually enough.

Some defeats are better than victories. A defeat endured as the result of contest conducted in a fair and honorable manner is a thousand times more creditable to the defeated party than a victory gained by all the mean and unscrupulous arts of the wire pullers.

Politicians are like diapers; they need to be changed often and for the same reason

Rather judge a person by his actions than by his words; because many act badly and speak splendidly.

The politician who tries to ape his rival or predecessor is, almost by definition, a second rater, inferior to the real thing.

Men who have greatness within them don't go into politics.

In handing over to the government of India to these so-called political classes [The Indian Congress Party], we are handing over to men of straw of whom in a few years no trace will remain.

The very name of a politician, a statesman, is sure to cause terror and hatred; it has always connected with it the ideas of treachery, cruelty, fraud, and tyranny…

A politician thinks of the next election; the statesman thinks of the next generation

A politician is a person with whose politics you don't agree; if you agree with him, he is a statesman.

I suppose that an honest man shines more in politics than he does elsewhere.

He knows nothing; and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career.

The career of politics, formerly considered among Americans so honorable, but latterly so much the, reverse, will once again resume its old position, and, indeed, more than its old position. It will have all the characteristics of a respectable and powerful profession, founded on merit and the interest of all its members in the work to which they have devoted their lives.

I must follow them. I am their leader.