Reston’s Observation
James Reston
All politics however are based on the indifference of the majority.
Senator Sorghum’s Laws of Politics
Sorghum
Politics is the art of turning influence into affluence.
Every practical politician should frankly confess to a profound respect for money, for he is a bad workman who quarrels with his tools. (See also Bacon’s Law and Clinton’s Law of Politics.)
A good memory is often a great help, but knowing just when to forget things sometimes counts for more.
Anybody can keep a promise, but it sometimes requires an artist to break one.
Never do anything that popular opinion and your own sense of right do not approve. Hire someone else to do it.
Occasionally a reputation for great wisdom is obtained by doing absolutely nothing and thereby avoiding mistakes. Corollary: It is safer to be criticised for not doing anything than it is to be blamed for doing something badly. (See also Jefferson’s Ukase and Byron Johnson’s Laws of Bureaucratic Success.)
Don’t complain that you are not getting what you deserve. Your impressions in such matters may be misleading. If you saw what you deserve coming, maybe you would dodge. (See also De Maistre’s Law.)
When in doubt for an argument, turn to statistics. They sound wise and very few people will do the arithmetic necessary to contradict you. (See also the last of the epigrams under Disraeli’s Second Law.)
Shanahan’s Law
Eileen Shanahan
The length of a meeting rises with the square of the number of people present, and the productiveness of the meeting falls with the square of the number of people present.
Shannon’s Law of Administration
William V. Shannon
What is actually happening is often less important that what appears to be happening.
Spencer’s Law
Herbert Spencer
Every cause produces more than one effect.
St. Augustine’s Law to End All Laws
St. Augustine
Necessity knows no law.
Stalin’s Law
Joseph Stalin
You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.
Stilwell’s Observation
Joseph Stillwell
The higher a monkey climbs, the more you can see of his ass.
Swift’s Law of Laws
Jonathan Swift
Laws are like cobwebs which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through.
The Hart Rule
John Buckley
Anything any politician did with a woman other than his wife prior to May 5 1987 ought to be allowed to go unrevealed.
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