Execute python commands passed as strings in command line using python -c

For a single string you can use python -c. But for strings as the question asks, you must pass them to stdin:

$ python << EOF
> import sys
> print sys.version
> EOF
2.7.3 (default, Apr 13 2012, 20:16:59) 
[GCC 4.6.3 20120306 (Red Hat 4.6.3-2)]

use -c to get Python to execute a string. For example:

python3 -c "print(5)"

However, there doesn't seem to be a way to use escape characters (e.g. \n). So, if you need them, use a pipe from echo -e or printf instead. For example:

$ printf "import sys\nprint(sys.path)" | python3