The beginning of political wisdom is the realization that despite everything you’ve always been taught, the government is not really on your side; indeed, it is out to get you.

Intervene globally, lose freedom locally.

Without popular fear, no government would endure more than twenty-four hours.

If I had to use a single word to describe what is fundamentally wrong with government today, I would use the word fraud.

...History shows that ... (people) can be deflected from their natural tendencies by artful propaganda, bogus crises, or other political trickery.

By adopting programs to distribute substantial amounts of income, a nation guarantees that its government will become more powerful and invasive in other ways.

Since the end of the nineteenth century, if not earlier, presidents have misled the public about their motives and their intentions in going to war.

True counselors of despair are those who hope against hope—and historical experience—that the government can and will act constructively.

Inflation is not a benign element in the economy's operation. It is, as it has always been, the most dangerous and destructive form of taxation.

Abetted by misguided or co-opted intellectuals, the rulers weave a cloak of legitimacy to disguise their theft and hence to ease their extraction of wealth from the rightful owners.

Once a bureau is created, its staff becomes a tenacious political interest group, well placed to defend its budget and to make a case for expanding its activities.

If America has the right to target Osama bin Laden, or terrorists, of course Israel has the right to defend itself from terrorism.

I'm a big fan of the Pixar movies, and Ed Catmull, who wrote a book about his experiences producing them, talks about how it takes three or four years to get it right.

There is no end to the petals of the inner rose. Continue to unfold set after set of petals until you have completed your meditation session.

The breath of an aristocrat is the death rattle of freedom.

Everybody who's played Marilyn Monroe before has gone down in flames. It's impossible to capture Marilyn Monroe.

I love performing. I shall perform until the day I die.

Both teachers and students must move ahead together for the nation to progress.

The reformer has enemies in all who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new order.

I figured that I wasn't as smart or talented as the other kids around, so I just had to work twice as hard. Surprisingly, results showed quickly. I was hooked!

No matter how much you screw up your life, you can fix it.