I don't want to be a great leader. I would rather be a good democrat.

If you are not a good listener, you cannot be a good politician.

Politics should make a thief, a roué, and a pessimist of anyone but I don't believe I am any of them...

I can't believe I'm saying I'm a politician.

It is not true that people of high principles are ill-suited for politics. High principles have only to be accompanied by patience, consideration, a sense of measure and understanding for others. It is not true that only coldhearted, cynical, arrogant, haughty or brawling persons succeed in politics. Such people are naturally attracted by politics. In the end, however, politeness and good manners weigh more.

Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book.

When I find a person who thinks he is too good to take part in politics, I find one who is not quite good enough to deserve the blessings of a free government.

It is hard for any one to be an honest politician who is not born and bred a Dissenter.

Because people often ask, I’ll say it here directly: I have no intention of running for office, ever. I’ve never been a fan of politics, and my experience over the last ten years has done little to change that. I continue to be put off by the nastiness — the tribal segregation of red and blue, this idea that we’re supposed to choose one side and stick to it, unable to listen and compromise, or sometimes even to be civil. I do believe that at its best, politics can be a means for positive change, but this arena is just not for me.

Politics, I don't have the strength...I have endorsed a political party before but that doesn't make me a politician. I just want to still be an entertainer. Politics, I don't think I have the energy yet. Filmmaking: producing - yes it is in the pipeline.

I don't suffer from an abundance of politeness.

I am 10 per cent politician and 90 per cent human being.

Politicians are always trying to make you believe that they’re good, moral, consistent. Don’t ever fall in their trap. There’s no such thing as a good, moral, consistent politi­cian. Politics is give-and-take, as my father taught me when he said, »Never hit a man unless you’re ready to be hit twice by him.«

I guess if I were a better politician I wouldn't tell the story here.