Cato the Younger Quotes

basically, the more power politicians have, the hornier they get

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely, and I found that out when I was Attorney General in Massachusetts.

Power is always a corrupting influence.

We've seen the hubris. And now we're seeing the scandals.

The People will have unfounded Power. And the People are extremely addicted to Corruption and Venality, as well as the Great. I am not without Apprehensions from this Quarter.

To plunder, to lie, to show your ass, are the three essentials for climbing high.

Under every stone lurks a politician

For the sake of advantage which is to be gained from the public revenues and from office, men want to be always in office.

There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.

It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes.

For magistrates often changed, like hungry flies suck more blood, and as the devil rageth more because his time is short, so these magistrates, fearing soon to be recalled, are not so much bent to reform the commonwealth the fruit whereof should be reaped by the successor, as they are vigilant to enrich themselves and their followers.

The carelessness and negligence of the governments of the world, which wholly intent upon the care of aggrandizing themselves, at the same time neglect the happiness of the people and with it their own peace and security.

Power is so pleasant that men quickly learn to be greedy in the enjoyment of it, and to flatter themselves that patriotism requires them to be imperious.

They could care less about the public. The public comes in third. Number one is keeping their power. Number two are the special interests, the people footing the bill. Finally, the public good might be third — if they can profit from it. If there's no profit, they could care less.

Power is always dangerous. It attracts the worst and corrupts the best..

Politicians will only exploit you for nothing.

Politics may come and go, but Greed goes on forever.

There may be in every government a few choice spirits, who may act from more worthy motives. One great error is that we suppose mankind more honest than they are. Our prevailing passions are ambition and interest.

Hope has often caused the love of gain to ruin men.

Not necessity, not desire - no, the love of power is the demon of men. Let them have everything - health, food, a place to live, entertainment - they are and remain unhappy and low-spirited: for the demon waits and waits and will be satisfied.

Just as he who gives his life to serve a great idea is admirable, he who avails himself of a great idea to serve his personal hopes of glory and power is abominable, even if he too risks his life.

He that fails in his endeavors after wealth or power will not long retain either honesty or courage.

Success tempts many to their ruin.

Some people are in positions of power, and when incentives go haywire, we are all human and it's easy to make mistakes. I am not saying everybody is Bernie Madoff.

The story of Willie Stark fascinated me because it was tackling the story of a man who outwardly has all the success one could possibly want and who is destroyed by his personal demons.