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Idealism is the despot of thought, just as politics is the despot of will.

Idealism is no good. Any concrete dedication to an abstract condition results in unpleasant things like wars.

You see, idealism detached from action is just a dream. But idealism allied with pragmatism, with rolling up your sleeves and making the world bend a bit, is very exciting. It's very real. It's very strong.

I think a lot of people start out full of idealism and fresh ideas. And then a lot of times, being re-elected becomes more important than staying true to your principles.

Politics is not a game for naive thinkers. You may go in as an idealist, but you certainly won't come out as one.

Idealism is the noble toga that political gentlemen drape over their will to power.

When you have both parties who will not find ways to compromise, who won't meet in the middle, you have paralysis. It's the perversion of idealism.

It seems to be the fate of idealists to obtain what they have struggled for in a form which destroys their ideals.

Idealism, alas, does not protect one from ignorance, dogmatism, and foolishness.