Zephyr Teachout Quotes

Everybody's always going to have some self-interest. When it passes a certain point, that's when it become corruption.

I did not wish to bribe myself.

If people want to get into leadership through corrupt practices, through corrupt means, I think that's detestable; we have to take action.

A thief is more moral than a congressman; when a thief steals your money, he doesn't demand you thank him.

Unfaithfulness in public stations is deeply criminal …. There is too much corruption even at this infant stage of our republic. Virtue is not in fashion. Vice is not infamous.

I don't think that anybody is worse than a public official who sells his office and corrupts others.

Keep your hands clean and pure from the infamous vice of corruption, a vice so infamous that it degrades even the other vices that may accompany it.

Mr. Ten Percent

Many government officials have very high moral standards at the beginning of their duties, but after a while some officials sway from the right path and easily fall into the temptation of bribery and fraud.

The origin of corruption in politics is surely in the thought that you are the bearer of ultimate virtue.

There can be no compromise regarding corruption.

I never took a bribe. This is the truth, and there is no other.

Whenever there is money, power, and titles involved, players are going to be corrupt. That might be a political statement, but that's what it is for the athletes, too.

As Members of Congress, we should not be using public office for private gain.

Any time there is a lot of money or ego involved, people tend to behave badly.

Corruption has its own motivations, and one has to thoroughly study that phenomenon and eliminate the foundations that allow corruption to exist.

I think it's very easy to get corrupted.

It is flagrantly dishonest for an advertising agent to urge consumers to buy a product which he would not allow his own wife to buy.

What Clinton did with Lewinsky was despicable but was no threat to the nation. That he lied about it repeatedly and to the public is a reason for us to cease to trust him and for him to resign.

Nick plays a corrupt politician, which is kind of a redundant statement.

A group of politicians deciding to dump a President because his morals are bad is like the Mafia getting together to bump off the Godfather for not going to church on Sunday.

An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought.

Corruption never has been compulsory.

Have I given any symptoms of an avaricious disposition? Have I obtained any grants from the crown since I have been placed at the head of the treasury? Has my conduct been different from that which others in the same station would have followed?

All those men have their price.