A nation should not have permanent friends, only permanent interests.

The great questions of the day will not be decided by speeches and majority resolutions — but by iron and blood.

We Germans fear God, but nothing else in the world.

Man is by nature a political animal.

-- Aristotle

Unless philosophers rule as kings, or kings genuinely philosophize, there will be no end to troubles for states.

-- Plato

The war of all against all.

-- Thomas Hobbes

The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.

-- John Stuart Mill

The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.

-- John Locke

The virtuous city resembles a sound and healthy body.

-- Farabi