An honest politician is an oxymoron.

Whiskey is carried into committee rooms in demijohns and carried out in demagogues.

Praise is well, compliment is well, but affection-that is the last and most precious reward that any man can win, whether by character or achievement.

Right is right, and wrong is wrong, and a body ain’t got no business doing wrong when he ain’t ignorant and knows better.

Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself.

The kingly office is entitled to no respect. It was originally procured by the highwayman's methods. It remains a perpetuated crime, can never be anything but the symbol of a crime. It is no more entitled to respect than is the flag of a pirate.

A crime persevered in a thousand centuries ceases to be a crime, and becomes a virtue. This is the law of custom, and custom supersedes all other forms of law.