20th-century Politician Quotes

Over the postwar years, we have granted to the elite and secret police within our system vast new powers over the lives and liberties of the people. At the request of the trusted and respected heads of those forces, and their appeal to the necessities of national security, we have exempted those grants of power from due accounting and strict surveillance.

Now that Iran has entered into production of nuclear fuel on an industrial [scale], there will be no limit on the production of nuclear fuel in Iran.

Gholam-Reza Aghazadeh

The new idols of the world are headed by America, the great Satan, which is the source of all the depravity in today's world.... Imam [Khomeini] said: "There is only one option... which can completely destroy this depravity. What is [the solution]? It is the unity of the Muslims."... The Muslims and the oppressed in the world should be united, in order to destroy the new idols of the world.

Mohammad Reyshahri

John Major's self-control in cabinet was rigid. The most angry thing he would ever do was to throw down his pencil.

Gillian Shephard

Hey, I can cook." "How do you know? You haven't eaten anything since before the Norman Conquest." "I've never had any complaints." "Given the infants you date, I'm not surprised. You could serve them sawdust and they'd eat it with a smile, dazzled by the swing of your broadsword." "What do you know about the swing of my broadsword?" "More than I care to. Women talk." Which shut him up, as he started wondering who'd said what.

We have a country which loves ideology, and we need pragmatism.

Jean-Pierre Raffarin

The Palestinian cause is the cause of the entire Islamic world, and we cannot stay indifferent to it.

Maintaining the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and maintaining no changes to the position that Taiwan is part of China is a sacred mission for all the sons and daughters of China.

My war is over. My job as a political leader is to prevent war.

Martin McGuinness

Well, you know, that's the problem in America, we're always having elections.

A psychiatrist is a man who goes to the Folies-Bergere and looks at the audience.

Mervyn Stockwood

We're British! Bertie Ahern has nothing to do with Ulster. Bertie Ahern, keep your nose out of this wee province!

There exists a shadowy government with its own Air Force, its own Navy, its own fundraising mechanism, and the ability to pursue its own ideas of national interest, free from all checks and balances, and free from the law itself.

All of Africa is irrevocably engaged in a merciless struggle against colonialism and imperialism We wish to bid farewell to the rule of slavery and bastardization that has so severely wronged us. Any people that oppresses another people is neither civilized nor Christian.

Patrice Lumumba

I have ceased a long time ago to exist as an individual. The ideals, the political goals that I stand for, those are the ideals and goals of the people in this country. They cannot just forget their own ideals. My private self doesn't exist. Whatever they do to me, they do to the people in this country.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

I think we already know they're looking to get rid of Fridays. Now we see they don't even take Monday mornings very seriously either.

Politics never takes a holiday in Chicago.

If you lived in Sheffield and were called Sebastian, you had to learn to run fast at a very early stage.

Mr. Chairman, when Oregonians first adopted the Death With Dignity Act and then defended it on a second ballot initiative, they sent their government a clear message. When the American people resisted government interference in the tragic case of Terri Schiavo, they sent their government a clear message. That message is that death is an intensely personal and private moment, and in those moments, the government ought to leave well enough alone.

The targeted assassination policy is a correct one. It is inconceivable that terrorists could operate freely without the ground quaking under their feet.

The decline in natural-gas revenues has been dramatic and the degree to which we are dependent on oil revenues, it is time for us to consider an increase in corporate and personal tax.

The United States could well declare unilaterally that this stage of the Vietnam war is over—that we have "won" in the sense that our Armed Forces are in control of most of the field and no potential enemy is in a position to establish its authority over South Vietnam.

This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible. Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there - with God and them. But I certainly offer my deep and sincere apologies to all I have disappointed and let down in any way.

What hurts Indians most is that our costumes are considered beautiful, but it's as if the person wearing it didn't exist.

Rigoberta Menchú

If you want to sell your vote, go ahead; it's a free country. But be sure you get something for it... You can't get both justice and the two dollars.

On Puerto Rican jíbaros accepting $2 bribes for their votes

Luis Muñoz Marín