John Webster Quotes

I want to talk to these people because they stay in power and you change all the time.

Policy is not made with papers or ceremonies. Policy is made with iron and blood.

Counting heads is not an ideal way to govern, at least it is better than breaking them.

There is no passion to which the rulers of a people can address themselves with greater [political] effect [than war.]

No ruler who lacks the gift of persuasion can stay in office long; it is the indispensable condition of government. It would be an idle illusion to assume that any government, no matter how good, could lastingly do without public consent.

A wise ruler, when he makes his laws, is bound to find himself in conflict with the world.

The future is Afghanistan.

As governor of my country, I have been an enemy to its enemies.

Those who imagine that a politician would make a better figurehead than a hereditary monarch might perhaps make the acquaintance of more politicians.

Democracy is a request from a War Board, in the middle of a morning in the middle of a war, wanting to know what democracy is.

Every US President has to have a war.

President means chief servant

Since James Madison day (and long before), there have been constant struggles over "democratic governance".

Without peace and the rule of law, civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights cannot be enjoyed, when killing, maiming and mutual poisoning prevail.

The greatest curse that can befall a free people, is civil war.

We've been at peace about as long as e were at war.

If we could just find out who's in charge, we could kill him.

The purpose of a politician is to be a leader. A politician has to lead. Otherwise he's just a follower.

The only safe ruler is he who has learned to obey willingly.

There are no warlike people - just warlike leaders.

Governments need to have both shepherds and butchers.

We are losing each day an average 50 to 60 people throughout the country, if not more. If this is not civil war, then God knows what civil war is.

Yes, I'm your governor now. I'll take care of you.

Given the daunting challenges that we face, it's important that president elect Obama is prepared to really take power and begin to rule day one.

He who dreads hostility too much is unfit to rule.