No government is ever really in favor of so-called civil rights. It always tries to whittle them down. They are preserved under all governments, insofar as they survive at all, by special classes of fanatics, often highly dubious.

The State doesn't just want you to obey, it wants to make you WANT to obey.

[A formula for answering controversial letters -- without even reading the letters:] Dear Sir (or Madame): You may be right.

A tin horn politician with the manner of a rural corn doctor and the mien of a ham actor

When a husband's story is believed, he begins to suspect his wife.

The most popular man under a democracy is not the most democratic man, but the most despotic man. The common folk delight in the exactions of such a man. They like him to boss them. Their natural gait is the goose step.

A metaphysician is one who, when you remark that twice two makes four, demands to know what you mean by twice, what by two, what by makes, and what by four. For asking such questions metaphysicians are supported in oriental luxury in the universities, and respected as educated and intelligent men.