Quotes Library

December 29, 2025

All politics are based on the indifference of the majority.

James Reston (1909–1995), American journalist, The Cynic’s Lexicon, Jonathon Green, ed. (London: 1986), p.175

Are you ever amazed that you got yourself elected? How do you explain it? Inherent charm? Tons of “dirty” money? Or were you saved from defeat by a moderately decent campaign and the indifference of the mass of voters?

Rousing the interest of the majority on some issue is almost impossible in good times. Wartimes are better. Also depressions, recessions, savings and loans collapses. While the public is expected to provide the funds needed to solve such crises, financial success is, on the other hand, always privatized. The majority of people have yet to understand how they are so often bilked.


More Quotes

December 31, 2025
01:09
Civilization is nothing else but the attempt to reduce force to being the last resort.
August 5, 2025
00:40
[On being prime minister] Sometimes the strain is awful, you have to resort to Jane Austen.
January 30, 2025
When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong. The minority are right.
Page 11 of 122