Algernon Sidney Quotes

Progress, this great heresy of decay.

He not busy being born is busy dying.

He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.

What is called a constitution today is nothing but "get out so I can get in.

Political constitutions count for much ; but they do not count for everything

American capitalism is predatory, and American politics are corrupt: The same thing is true in England and the same in France; but in all these three countries the dominating fact is that whatever the people get ready to change the government, they can change it. The same thing is not true of Germany

I’m incredibly reluctant to amend the Constitution for any purpose.

Their problem was how to adapt English principles and precedents to the new conditions of American life.

Is there a man who will say that the Constitution wants no reform? Will any man be found to say that the Constitution is perfect?

The old order changeth, yielding place to new; And God fulfils himself in many ways, Lest one good custom should corrupt the world..

This (the U.S. Constitution) is likely to be administered for a course of years and then end in despotism... when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other

One of the things that is so important, critical I think, in reading not just the founders but thousands of years as you put it, that discussion about corruption, is that you can't talk about the problem of corruption without talking about human nature.

I'm not affiliated with Ed Burke, Joe Berrios or anyone else who represents the old, corrupt Chicago way. I am offering voters a complete break from that past and pushing us forward in a way that brings people together and makes government more inclusive.

I haven't let Washington change me.

The corruption doesn't cease, the crime rates don't come down, no matter which party comes to power.

Laws were most numerous when the commonwealth was most corrupt.

Thus is the fruit of the Earth taken, its flesh torn. Thus is it given over standing, toward rot. It is the principle of corruption, the death of what is, the birth of what is to be. You are wine.

I believe the world grows near its end, yet is neither old nor decayed, nor will ever perish upon the ruins of its own principles.

We cannot cure the evils of politics with politics.

Politics is noble; it is one of the highest forms of charity, as Paul VI used to say. We sully it when we mix it with business. The relationship between the Church and political power can also be corrupted if common good is not the only converging point.

We will meet our challenges head on and we will do it by rejecting the politics of mediocrity and corruption. You voted for change; I intend to deliver it. ... I will govern as a reformer.

Everything good needs replacing

What havoc, said I to myself, would these manners make in America! Our governors, our judges, our senators or representatives, and even our ministers, would be appointed by harlots, for money; and their judgments, decrees, and decisions, be sold to repay themselves, or, perhaps, to procure the smiles of profligate females.

Every government is always growing corrupt.