The method of rule of the tyrant and the oligarch is quite simply to clobber, coerce, or overawe all or most other groups in the interest of their own.

Totalitarianism surpasses autocracy.

The praise of free men is worth having, for it is the only praise which is free from either servility or condescension.

Democracy is perhaps the most promiscuous word in the world of public affairs.

Factory workers are not working for capitalism, they are working for a living wage.

What matters in Politics is what men actually do - sincerity is no excuse for acting unpolitically, and insincerity may be channelled by politics into good results.

The agony of international relations is the need to try to practice politics without the basic conditions for political order.

The politician has no more use for pride than Falstaff had for honour.

The unique character of political activity lies, quite literally, in its publicity.

Since the business of politics is the conciliation of differing interests, justice must not merely be done, but to be seen to be done.

The plain truth is that what holds a free state together is neither general will nor a common interest, but simply politics itself.

Any fool can start a religion. And many do.

Life is an operation which is done in a forward direction. One lives toward the future, because to live consists inexorably in doing, in each individual life making itself.

I like the incongruity of how in Iran, these people we think of as being revolutionaries or fanatics or whatever are just as aware of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader as our people are back home.

It is always chilling, in friendly intercourse, to say you have no opinion to give.

Always, always ask for what you want. Because the Universe might surprise you — and give it to you.

In French literature, you can choose a la carte; in Spanish literature, there is only the set meal.

I write my lyrics the day I sing the song, so even when I have the basic things, I'm thinking what can I change, what can I add, how many harmonies can I do.

If you can make your name and your works very famous and at the same time can succeed in making yourself much unknown, you are definitely the most intelligent celebrity!

Here, I thought, I had found the human race in its final stages of decadence perverse, insouciant, without ambition. And I could not blame them. After all, they had no future.

I haven't spoken to Oprah herself. She had so much going on, since her network show was wrapping up at the time we were shooting. I can't fault her for that.