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Quotes about politics

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I will not accept if nominated, and will not serve if elected.
William Tecumseh Sherman1820–1891Telegram sent to General Henderson in 1884, refusing to run in the United States presidential election of that year. As quoted in Sherman’s Memoirs, 4th ed. 1891
- Presidency
The American People will take Socialism, but they won’t take the label.
Upton Sinclair1878–1968Letter to Norman Thomas (25 September 1951)
- America
There is no wilderness where I can hide from these things, there is no haven where I can escape them; though I travel to the ends of the earth, I find the same accursed system⁠—I find that all the fair and noble impulses of humanity, the dreams of poets and the agonies of martyrs, are shackled and bound in the service of organized and predatory Greed!
Upton Sinclair1878–1968The Jungle (1906), Chapter XXVIIIIn context
- Economics
- Money
The working-man was to fix his hopes upon a future life, while his pockets were picked in this one; he was brought up to frugality, humility, obedience⁠—in short to all the pseudo-virtues of capitalism.
Upton Sinclair1878–1968The Jungle (1906), Chapter XXXIIn context
- Economics
- Religion
It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own neccessities but of their advantages.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter II, p. 19.In context
- Economics
The statesman who should attempt to direct people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals, would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention, but assume an authority which could safely be trusted, not only to no single person, but to no council or senate whatever, and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who had folly and presumption enough to fancy himself fit to exercise it.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book IV, Chapter IIIn context
- Economics
- Government
Consumption is the sole end and purpose of all production; and the interest of the producer ought to be attended to, only so far as it may be necessary for promoting that of the consumer.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book IV, Chapter VIII, p. 719.In context
- Economics
The uniform, constant and uninterrupted effort of every man to better his condition, the principle from which public and national, as well as private opulence is originally derived, is frequently powerful enough to maintain the natural progress of things toward improvement, in spite both of the extravagance of government, and of the greatest errors of administration. Like the unknown principle of animal life, it frequently restores health and vigour to the constitution, in spite, not only of the disease, but of the absurd prescriptions of the doctor.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of NationsIn context
- Economics
Civil government, so far as it is instituted for the security of property, is in reality instituted for the defence of the rich against the poor, or of those who have some property against those who have none at all.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book V, Chapter I, Part II, 775.In context
- Economics
- Government
In the long-run the workman may be as necessary to his master as his master is to him, but the necessity is not so immediate.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter VIII, p. 80.In context
- Economics
- Work
Nobody ever saw a dog make a fair and deliberate exchange of one bone for another with another dog.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter II, p. 14.In context
- Animals
- Economics
By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book IV, Chapter II, p. 488-489.In context
- Economics
People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter X, Part II, p. 152.In context
- Business
- Economics
I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book IV, Chapter IIIn context
- Business
- Economics
The greatest improvements in the productive powers of labour, and the greater part of the skill, dexterity, and judgment, with which it is anywhere directed, or applied, seem to have been the effects of the division of labour.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter IIn context
- Economics
- Work