The best servants of the people, like the best valets, must whisper unpleasant truths in the master's ear. It is the court fool, not the foolish courtier, whom the king can least afford to lose.

Quote by Walter Lippmann

Topics: Walter Lippmann Quotes

No amount of charters, direct primaries, or short ballots will make a democracy out of...

No amount of charters, direct primaries, or short ballots will make a democracy out of...

In a free society the state does not administer the affairs of men. It administers...

In a free society the state does not administer the affairs of men. It administers...

What a shame to waste those great shots on the practice tee.

What a shame to waste those great shots on the practice tee.

The private citizen, beset by partisan appeals for the loan of his Public Opinion, will...

The private citizen, beset by partisan appeals for the loan of his Public Opinion, will...

The first principle of a civilized state is that the power is legitimate only when...

The first principle of a civilized state is that the power is legitimate only when...

Successful politicians are insecure and intimidated men. They advance politically only as they placate, appease,...

Successful politicians are insecure and intimidated men. They advance politically only as they placate, appease,...

The great social adventure of America is no longer the conquest of the wilderness but...

The great social adventure of America is no longer the conquest of the wilderness but...

When philosophers try to be politicians they generally cease to be philosophers.

When philosophers try to be politicians they generally cease to be philosophers.

Ideals are an imaginative understanding of that which is desirable in that which is possible.

Ideals are an imaginative understanding of that which is desirable in that which is possible.

It requires wisdom to understand wisdom; the music is nothing if the audience is deaf

It requires wisdom to understand wisdom; the music is nothing if the audience is deaf

Once you touch the biographies of human beings, the notion that political beliefs are logically...

Once you touch the biographies of human beings, the notion that political beliefs are logically...

A man has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it...

A man has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it...

The radical novelty of modern science lies precisely in the rejection of the belief, which...

The radical novelty of modern science lies precisely in the rejection of the belief, which...

A long life in journalism convinced me many presidents ago that there should be a...

A long life in journalism convinced me many presidents ago that there should be a...

A long life in journalism convinced me many presidents ago that there should be a...

A long life in journalism convinced me many presidents ago that there should be a...

Private property was the original source of freedom. It still is its main ballpark.

Private property was the original source of freedom. It still is its main ballpark.

Most men, after a little freedom, have preferred authority with the consoling assurances and the...

Most men, after a little freedom, have preferred authority with the consoling assurances and the...

Authority is quite degrading

Authority is quite degrading

The country and the Congress were misled into war. I regret that we were not...

The country and the Congress were misled into war. I regret that we were not...

The key to the behavior of subjects lies not in pent-up anger or aggression, but...

The key to the behavior of subjects lies not in pent-up anger or aggression, but...

We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle, our flag will...

We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle, our flag will...

Don't ever let anybody teach you to think; it is the curse of the world.

Don't ever let anybody teach you to think; it is the curse of the world.