"It should be noted that people with evil instincts are more numerous than those
with good ones; therefore, the best results in governing them are attained by
intimidation and violence, and not by academic argument. Every man aims for
power; everyone desires to be a dictator, if possible; moreover, few would not
sacrifice the good of others to attain their own ends."
"People in masses and people of the masses are guided by exceptionally shallow
passions, beliefs, customs, traditions and sentimental theories and are inclined
toward party divisions, a fact which prevents any form of agreement, even when
this is founded on a thoroughly logical basis. Every decision of the mob depends
upon an accidental or prearranged majority, which, owing to its ignorance of the
mysteries of political secrets, gives expression to absurd decisions that introduce
anarchy into government."
"In working out an expedient plan of action, it is necessary to take into
consideration the meanness, the vacillation, the changeability of the crowd * * *
It is necessary to realize that the force of the masses is blind, unreasoning and
unintelligent, prone to listen now to the right, and now to the left * * *"
"Our triumph has also been made easier because, in our relations with the people
necessary to us, we have always played upon the most sensitive strings of the
human mind -- on calculation, greed, and the insatiable material desires of men.
Each of these human weaknesses, taken separately, is capable of paralyzing
initiative and placing the will of the people at the disposal of the purchaser of their
activities."