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Quotes about politics

529 quotes from 258 people

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Historically, the errors committed by a truly revolutionary movement are infinitely more fruitful than the infallibility of the cleverest Central Committee.
Rosa Luxemburg1871–1919Leninism or Marxism? (1904)
- Failure
It is not in the nature of politics that the best men should be elected. The best men do not want to govern their fellow men.
George MacDonald1824–1905
The wind of change is blowing through this continent. Whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact.
Harold Macmillan1894–1986Speech to the Parliament of South Africa, Cape Town (3 February 1960)
- Change
The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.
James Madison1751–1836
I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on the objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.
James Madison1751–1836“On Parties” (23 January 1792), Papers of James Madison Vol. XIV, pp. 197-8
- Economics
By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.
James Madison1751–1836Federalist No. 10 (November 22, 1787)In context
Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life, because it imparts to fire its destructive agency.
James Madison1751–1836Federalist No. 10 (November 22, 1787)In context
- Liberty
The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man; and we see them everywhere brought into different degrees of activity, according to the different circumstances of civil society.
James Madison1751–1836Federalist No. 10 (November 22, 1787)In context
Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.
James Madison1751–1836Federalist No. 10 (November 22, 1787)In context
- Leadership
Mystery is an emotion which is repugnant to a political animal.
Norman Mailer1923–2007Superman Comes to the Supermarket (1960)
It’s impossible for a white person to believe in capitalism and not believe in racism. You can’t have capitalism without racism.
Malcolm X1925–1965May 29, 1964
- Economics
- Race
Population, when unchecked, increases in a geometrical ratio, Subsistence, increases only in an arithmetical ratio.
Thomas Robert Malthus1766–1834An Essay on The Principle of Population (First Edition 1798, unrevised), Chapter I, paragraph 18, lines 1-2
- Economics
We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.
Zohran Mamdaniborn 1991Inauguration address as Mayor of New York City (1 January 2026)
In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light.
Zohran Mamdaniborn 1991Election night victory speech ( 5 November 2025)
Education is our only political safety. Outside of this ark all is deluge.
Horace Mann1796–1859Thoughts Selected from the Writings of Horace Mann (1867), p. 220
- Education