Politics Quotes | Beyond Motive 62/67

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Politics Quotes

"Colonialism is the mother of terrorism."

"Colonialism is the mother of terrorism."

Suzy Kassem, American Writer

Politics, Colonialism, Terrorism, History, Conflict

13

"Drugs have destroyed many people. But wrong government policies have destroyed many more."

"Drugs have destroyed many people. But wrong government policies have destroyed many more."

Ziad K. Abdelnour, Lebanese Author

Politics, Policy, Destruction, Drugs, Truth

13

"Democracy was supposed to champion freedom of speech, and yet the simple rules of table decorum could clamp down on the rights their forefathers had fought and died for."

"Democracy was supposed to champion freedom of speech, and yet the simple rules of table decorum could clamp down on the rights their forefathers had fought and died for."

E.A. Bucchianeri, American Author

Politics, Democracy, Speech, Freedom, Law

13

"I am convinced Socialism is the only answer and I urge all comrades to take this struggle to a victorious conclusion. Only this will free us from the chains of bigotry and exploitation."

"I am convinced Socialism is the only answer and I urge all comrades to take this struggle to a victorious conclusion. Only this will free us from the chains of bigotry and exploitation."

Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani Activist

Politics, Socialism, Struggle, Freedom, Equality

13

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."

George W. Bush, American President

Politics, Numbers

13

"The fate of the country... does not depend on what kind of paper you drop into the ballot-box once a year, but on what kind of man you drop from your chamber into the street every morning."

"The fate of the country... does not depend on what kind of paper you drop into the ballot-box once a year, but on what kind of man you drop from your chamber into the street every morning."

Henry David Thoreau, American Author

Politics, Democracy, Citizenship, Man, Responsibility

13

"Politics means implementation of the best ideas for the society in the path of wellbeing and progress."

"Politics means implementation of the best ideas for the society in the path of wellbeing and progress."

Abhijit Naskar, Indian Author

Politics, Wisdom, Truth, Power, Today

13

"It doesn't take a majority to make a rebellion; it takes only a few determined leaders and a sound cause."

"It doesn't take a majority to make a rebellion; it takes only a few determined leaders and a sound cause."

H. L. Mencken, American Writer

Politics, Cause, Leaders, Majority, Rebellion

13

"Thanks to demographics, that conservative push is not going to work-the United States is not going to be a mostly white country again- and because genies don't go back into bottles and queer people are not going back into the closet and women aren't going to surrender. It's a war, but I don't believe we're losing it, even if we won't win it anytime soon either; rather, some battles are won, some are engaged, and some women are doing really well while others suffer. And things continue to change in interesting and sometimes even auspicious ways."

"Thanks to demographics, that conservative push is not going to work-the United States is not going to be a mostly white country again- and because genies don't go back into bottles and queer people are not going back into the closet and women aren't going to surrender. It's a war, but I don't believe we're losing it, even if we won't win it anytime soon either; rather, some battles are won, some are engaged, and some women are doing really well while others suffer. And things continue to change in interesting and sometimes even auspicious ways."

Rebecca Solnit, American Actress

Politics, Change, Equality, Conflict

13

"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity, especially when it comes to bureaucrats in a government who has no clueabout money matters."

"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity, especially when it comes to bureaucrats in a government who has no clueabout money matters."

Ziad K. Abdelnour, Lebanese Author

Politics, Stupidity, Power, Government, Money

13

"The great gift of American democracy is freedom to think, act, and carry out our lives in a manner that imbues meaning not only to our own life but enhances other people's lives through our everyday actions."

"The great gift of American democracy is freedom to think, act, and carry out our lives in a manner that imbues meaning not only to our own life but enhances other people's lives through our everyday actions."

Kilroy J. Oldster, American Author

Politics, Democracy, Freedom, Meaning, Society

13

"Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns in to universal, rather than religion-specific, values... it requires that their proposals be subject to argument and amenable to reason.Now I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, to take one example, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all."

"Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns in to universal, rather than religion-specific, values... it requires that their proposals be subject to argument and amenable to reason.Now I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, to take one example, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all."

Barack Obama, American President

Politics, Democracy, Reason, Ethics, Law

13

"The Democrats would like you to believe that the USA is the 'Greatest nation on Earth'. Is this true? The Republicans answer this question by stating there is a need to 'Make America Great Again'."

"The Democrats would like you to believe that the USA is the 'Greatest nation on Earth'. Is this true? The Republicans answer this question by stating there is a need to 'Make America Great Again'."

Steven Magee, British Author

Politics, Patriotism, Truth, Power

13

"For my part, I consider that it will be found much better by all parties to leave the past to history, especially as I propose to write that history myself."

"For my part, I consider that it will be found much better by all parties to leave the past to history, especially as I propose to write that history myself."

Winston Churchill, English Statesman

Politics, History, Past, Will

13

"People wishes their friends to be in politics, but their sons in professions."

"People wishes their friends to be in politics, but their sons in professions."

Amit Kalantri, Indian Author

Politics, Friend, Sons, Life

13

"If you 'don't do politics', trust me - politics will do you."

"If you 'don't do politics', trust me - politics will do you."

Christina Engela, South African Author

Politics, Engagement, Impact, Power

13

"The good news is that, according to the Obama administration, the rich will pay for everything. The bad news is that, according to the Obama administration, you're rich."

"The good news is that, according to the Obama administration, the rich will pay for everything. The bad news is that, according to the Obama administration, you're rich."

P. J. O'Rourke, American Comedian

Politics, Irony, Class, Blame

13

"Why is it so many politicians are wealthy?Is it because they make good investments?Or is it simply.Because they are good investments?"

"Why is it so many politicians are wealthy?Is it because they make good investments?Or is it simply.Because they are good investments?"

Anthony T. Hincks, British Writer

Politics, Wealth, Corruption, Power

13

"The very phrase 'foreign affairs' makes an Englishman convinced that I am about to treat of subjects with which he has no concern."

"The very phrase 'foreign affairs' makes an Englishman convinced that I am about to treat of subjects with which he has no concern."

Benjamin Disraeli, British Statesman

Politics, Concern

13

"Governments are committed to preserving the myth of their monopoly on violence. Violence belongs to everyone."

"Governments are committed to preserving the myth of their monopoly on violence. Violence belongs to everyone."

Bryant McGill, American Poet

Politics, Violence, Power, Government, Truth

13

"When the white man turns tyrant, it is his own freedom that he destroys."

"When the white man turns tyrant, it is his own freedom that he destroys."

George Orwell, British Author

Politics, Tyranny, Freedom, Destruction, Power

13

"System fails when people with ability don't have authority and people with authority don't have ability."

"System fails when people with ability don't have authority and people with authority don't have ability."

Amit Kalantri, Indian Author

Politics, Ability, Authority, Power, Society

13

"Russia itself having turned to socialist realism - no-man's-land between surrealism and communism."

"Russia itself having turned to socialist realism - no-man's-land between surrealism and communism."

John Fowles, English Novelist

Politics, Art, Reality, Truth

13

"Richard, Bill has the socialist disease in its worst form; he thinks the world owes him a living. He told me sincerely - smugly! - that of course everyone was entitled to the best possible medical and hospital service - free of course, unlimited of course, and of course the government should pay for it."

"Richard, Bill has the socialist disease in its worst form; he thinks the world owes him a living. He told me sincerely - smugly! - that of course everyone was entitled to the best possible medical and hospital service - free of course, unlimited of course, and of course the government should pay for it."

Robert A. Heinlein, American Writer

Politics, Socialism, Government, Service

13

"There is no more independence in politics than there is in jail."

"There is no more independence in politics than there is in jail."

Will Rogers, American Actor

Politics, Independence

13

"There's a kind of activism that's more about bolstering identity than achieving results, one that sometimes seems to make the left the true heirs of the Puritans. Puritanical in that the point becomes the demonstration of one's own virtue rather than the realization of results. And puritanical because the somber pleasure of condemning things is the most enduring part of that legacy, along with the sense of personal superiority that comes from pleasure denied. The bleakness of the world is required as contrasting backdrop to the drama of their rising above."

"There's a kind of activism that's more about bolstering identity than achieving results, one that sometimes seems to make the left the true heirs of the Puritans. Puritanical in that the point becomes the demonstration of one's own virtue rather than the realization of results. And puritanical because the somber pleasure of condemning things is the most enduring part of that legacy, along with the sense of personal superiority that comes from pleasure denied. The bleakness of the world is required as contrasting backdrop to the drama of their rising above."

Rebecca Solnit, American Actress

Politics, Activism, Identity, Virtue

13

"Had he lived some centuries ago, in the brightly coloured civilizations of the past, he would have had a definite status, his rank and his income would have corresponded. But in his day the angel of Democracy had arisen, enshadowing the classes with leathern wings, and proclaiming, "All men are equal--all men, that is to say, who possess umbrellas..."

"Had he lived some centuries ago, in the brightly coloured civilizations of the past, he would have had a definite status, his rank and his income would have corresponded. But in his day the angel of Democracy had arisen, enshadowing the classes with leathern wings, and proclaiming, "All men are equal--all men, that is to say, who possess umbrellas..."

E. M. Forster, English Novelist

Politics, Equality, Democracy, Status, History

13

"King Drowden has given his men instructions to infiltrate the town, bribe townspeople for the secrets of their neighbors, steal the neighbors' hidden treasures. Much more subtle than Drowden's usual smash and burn technique. We do hope Drowden isn't growing a brain."

"King Drowden has given his men instructions to infiltrate the town, bribe townspeople for the secrets of their neighbors, steal the neighbors' hidden treasures. Much more subtle than Drowden's usual smash and burn technique. We do hope Drowden isn't growing a brain."

Kristin Cashore, American Author

Politics, Deception, Strategy, Power, Manipulation

13

"Here is a tragicomic reality of all the regimes: People work hard to feed their thief politicians, their thief kings and thief queens or their thief presidents! And therefore the tragicomic reality of all the times is this: There can exist no thieves without the support of people!"

"Here is a tragicomic reality of all the regimes: People work hard to feed their thief politicians, their thief kings and thief queens or their thief presidents! And therefore the tragicomic reality of all the times is this: There can exist no thieves without the support of people!"

Mehmet Murat ildan, Turkish Philosopher

Politics, Truth, Wisdom, Power, Regret

13

"Professionals and good Samaritans, once be the gardener of the nation, would root up corruption."

"Professionals and good Samaritans, once be the gardener of the nation, would root up corruption."

Vikrmn, Indian Author

Politics, Corruption, Justice, Society, Responsibility

13

"I just didn't want to get out there anymore; I didn't want to get back into what I call 'the swamp.' And the other reason why is I don't think it's good for the presidency for a former president to be opining about his successor. President Obama's got plenty of critics - and I'm just not gonna be one."

"I just didn't want to get out there anymore; I didn't want to get back into what I call 'the swamp.' And the other reason why is I don't think it's good for the presidency for a former president to be opining about his successor. President Obama's got plenty of critics - and I'm just not gonna be one."

George W. Bush, American President

Politics, Presidency, Reason, Want

13

"Politics is largely a matter of heart."

"Politics is largely a matter of heart."

R. A. Butler, British Politician

Politics, Heart

13

"I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious."

"I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious."

Thomas Jefferson, American President

Politics, Government, Corruption, Work, Power

13

"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest."

"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest."

Thomas Jefferson, American President

Politics, Government, Honesty, Power, Truth

13

"If there was a reason why he preferred the liberal tendency to the conservative one (also held to by many of his circle), it was not because he found the liberal tendency more sensible, but it more closely suited his manner of life."

"If there was a reason why he preferred the liberal tendency to the conservative one (also held to by many of his circle), it was not because he found the liberal tendency more sensible, but it more closely suited his manner of life."

Leo Tolstoy, Russian Novelist

Politics, Preference, Lifestyle, Choice

13

"Unfortunately, that still leaves plenty of Americans who don't read much or think much -- who will still be extremely useful in unjust wars. We are sick about that. We did the best we could."

"Unfortunately, that still leaves plenty of Americans who don't read much or think much -- who will still be extremely useful in unjust wars. We are sick about that. We did the best we could."

Kurt Vonnegut, American Author

Politics, Reading, War, Ignorance, Society

13

"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."

"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."

H. L. Mencken, American Writer

13

"The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the Prohibition law. For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced."

"The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the Prohibition law. For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced."

Albert Einstein, German Scientist

Politics, Government, Law, Respect, Prohibition

13

"...vast accession of strength from their younger recruits, who having nothing in them of the feelings or principles of '76 now look to a single and splendid government of an Aristocracy, founded on banking institutions and monied in corporations under the guise and cloak of their favored branches of manufactures commerce and navigation, riding and ruling over the plundered ploughman and beggared yeomanry."

"...vast accession of strength from their younger recruits, who having nothing in them of the feelings or principles of '76 now look to a single and splendid government of an Aristocracy, founded on banking institutions and monied in corporations under the guise and cloak of their favored branches of manufactures commerce and navigation, riding and ruling over the plundered ploughman and beggared yeomanry."

Thomas Jefferson, American President

Politics, Power, Government, Class, Wealth

13

"In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican."

"In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican."

H. L. Mencken, American Writer

Politics, Republican, Sin, Sorrow, World

13

"The kind of man who wants the government to adopt and enforce his ideas is always the kind of man whose ideas are idiotic."

"The kind of man who wants the government to adopt and enforce his ideas is always the kind of man whose ideas are idiotic."

H. L. Mencken, American Writer

Politics, Government, Freedom, Opinion

13

"Our country is too large to have all its affairs directed by a single government. Public servants at such a distance, and from under the eye of their constituents, must, from the circumstance of distance, be unable to administer and overlook all the details necessary for the good government of the citizens; and the same circumstance, by rendering detection impossible to their constituents, will invite public agents to corruption, plunder and waste."

"Our country is too large to have all its affairs directed by a single government. Public servants at such a distance, and from under the eye of their constituents, must, from the circumstance of distance, be unable to administer and overlook all the details necessary for the good government of the citizens; and the same circumstance, by rendering detection impossible to their constituents, will invite public agents to corruption, plunder and waste."

Thomas Jefferson, American President

Politics, Government, Corruption, Distance

13

"He is fiddling while Rome is burning, and, unlike the enormous majority of people who do this, fiddling with his face toward the flames."

"He is fiddling while Rome is burning, and, unlike the enormous majority of people who do this, fiddling with his face toward the flames."

George Orwell, British Author

Politics, Crisis, Neglect, Warning, Danger

13

"Even if the paradise of material satisfaction, which they envisage as their final goal, were realized on earth, it would not bring mankind either contentment or peace."

"Even if the paradise of material satisfaction, which they envisage as their final goal, were realized on earth, it would not bring mankind either contentment or peace."

Mahatma Gandhi, Indian Leader

Politics, Act, Action, Age, Art

13

"And they that rule in England, in stately conclaves met, alas, alas for England they have no graves as yet."

"And they that rule in England, in stately conclaves met, alas, alas for England they have no graves as yet."

Gilbert K. Chesterton, English Writer

Politics, England

13

"As long as we're dependent on those fossil fuels, we're dependent on the Middle East. If we are not victims, we're certainly captives."

"As long as we're dependent on those fossil fuels, we're dependent on the Middle East. If we are not victims, we're certainly captives."

John McHugh, American Politician

Politics, Victims

13

"Democracy is reproached with saying that the majority is always right. But progress says that the minority is always right."

"Democracy is reproached with saying that the majority is always right. But progress says that the minority is always right."

Gilbert K. Chesterton, English Writer

Politics, Democracy, Majority, Minority, Progress

13

"There lies at the back of every creed something terrible and hard for which the worshipper may one day be required to suffer."

"There lies at the back of every creed something terrible and hard for which the worshipper may one day be required to suffer."

E. M. Forster, English Novelist

Politics, Day, Lies, May

13

"When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty, and there is nothing more to fear from them, then he is always stirring up some war or other, in order that the people may require a leader."

"When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty, and there is nothing more to fear from them, then he is always stirring up some war or other, in order that the people may require a leader."

Plato, Greek Philosopher

Politics, War, Leader, People, Fear

13

"The punishment which the wise suffer who refuse to take part in the government, is to live under the government of worse men."

"The punishment which the wise suffer who refuse to take part in the government, is to live under the government of worse men."

Plato, Greek Philosopher

Politics, Government, Men, Punishment

13

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