Americans are overreaching; overreaching is the most admirable and most American of the many American excesses.

Quote by George Will

Topics: George Will Quotes

As advertising blather becomes the nation's normal idiom, language becomes printed noise.

As advertising blather becomes the nation's normal idiom, language becomes printed noise.

A society that thinks the choice between ways of living is just a choice between...

A society that thinks the choice between ways of living is just a choice between...

Civilization depends on, and civility often requires, the willingness to say, 'What you are doing...

Civilization depends on, and civility often requires, the willingness to say, 'What you are doing...

The future has a way of arriving unannounced.

The future has a way of arriving unannounced.

Politicians fascinate because they constitute such a paradox; they are an elite that accomplishes mediocrity...

Politicians fascinate because they constitute such a paradox; they are an elite that accomplishes mediocrity...

Voters don't decide issues, they decide who will decide issues.

Voters don't decide issues, they decide who will decide issues.

Pessimism is as American as apple pie - frozen apple pie with a slice of...

Pessimism is as American as apple pie - frozen apple pie with a slice of...

Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only...

Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only...

Leadership is, among other things, the ability to inflict pain and get away with it...

Leadership is, among other things, the ability to inflict pain and get away with it...

Some parents say it is toy guns that make boys warlike. But give a boy...

Some parents say it is toy guns that make boys warlike. But give a boy...

You really don't want a president who is a football fan. Football combines the worst...

You really don't want a president who is a football fan. Football combines the worst...

Childhood is frequently a solemn business for those inside it.

Childhood is frequently a solemn business for those inside it.

There may be more poetry than justice in poetic justice.

There may be more poetry than justice in poetic justice.

The pursuit of perfection often impedes improvement.

The pursuit of perfection often impedes improvement.

Being elected to Congress is regarded as being sent on a looting raid for one's...

Being elected to Congress is regarded as being sent on a looting raid for one's...

Football incorporates the two worst elements of American society: violence punctuated by committee meetings.

Football incorporates the two worst elements of American society: violence punctuated by committee meetings.

Conservatives define themselves in terms of what they oppose.

Conservatives define themselves in terms of what they oppose.

A politician's words reveal less about what he thinks about his subject than what he...

A politician's words reveal less about what he thinks about his subject than what he...

If your job is to leaven ordinary lives with elevating spectacle, be elevating or be...

If your job is to leaven ordinary lives with elevating spectacle, be elevating or be...

Football combines the two worst things about America: it is violence punctuated by committee meetings.

Football combines the two worst things about America: it is violence punctuated by committee meetings.