Nature has left this tincture in the blood, That all men would be tyrants if they could.

Though oppression may give rise to violent and repeated outbreaks, like the convulsions of a man in pain, it cannot mature a settled purpose and plan of regeneration, unless a new notion of happiness is joined to the sense of present evil.

Death is a softer thing by far than tyranny.

This is a sickness rooted and inherent in the nature of a tyranny: that he that holds it does not trust his friends.

Any excuse will serve a tyrant.

It is in fact far easier to act under conditions of tyranny than it is to think.

Make men large and strong, and tyranny will bankrupt itself in making shackles for them.

The slave begins by demanding justice and ends by wanting to wear a crown. He must dominate in his turn.

The laws can't be enforced against the man who is the laws' master.

When a nation has allowed itself to fall under a tyrannical regime, it cannot be absolved from the faults due to the guilt of that regime.