Successful democratic politicians are insecure and intimidated men. They advance politically only as they placate, appease, bribe, seduce, bamboozle, or otherwise manage to manipulate the demanding and threatening elements in their constituencies. The decisive consideration is not whether the proposition is good but whether it is popular -- not whether it will work well and prove itself but whether the active talking constituents like it immediately. Politicians rationalize this servitude by saying that in a democracy public men are the servants of the people.

We are concerned in public affairs, but immersed in our private ones.

Industry is a better horse to ride than genius.

The time has come to stop beating our heads against stone walls under the illusion that we have been appointed policeman to the human race.

Many a time I have wanted to stop talking and find out what I really believed.

Creative ideas come to the intuitive person who can face up to the insecurity of looking beyond the obvious.

Robinson Crusoe, the self-sufficient man, could not have lived in New York city.