Absolute power does not corrupt absolutely, absolute power attracts the corruptible.

You cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb.

I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.

If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.

In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.

A leader leads by example, not by force

In all intellectual debates, both sides tend to be correct in what they affirm, and wrong in what they deny.

Understanding can overcome any situation, however mysterious or insurmountable it may appear to be.

While the State exists there can be no freedom; when there is freedom there will be no State.

Good laws lead to the making of better ones; bad ones bring about worse.

If you want to make enemies, try to change something.

He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.

The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.

Any cook should be able to run the country.

Fascism is capitalism in decay.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.

Liberty does not exist in the absence of morality.

Freedom (n.): To ask nothing. To expect nothing. To depend on nothing.

Never exceed your rights, and they will soon become unlimited.

I don't think marriage is a civil right, but I think that being able to transfer property is a civil right.