In government offices which are sensitive to the vehemence and passion of mass sentiment public men have no sure tenure. They are in effect perpetual office seekers, always on trial for their political lives, always required to court their restless…

Quote by Walter Lippmann

Topics: Walter Lippmann Quotes

The best servants of the people, like the best valets, must whisper unpleasant truths in...

The best servants of the people, like the best valets, must whisper unpleasant truths in...

We are all captives of the picture in our head - our belief that the...

We are all captives of the picture in our head - our belief that the...

When all men think alike, no one thinks very much.

When all men think alike, no one thinks very much.

He has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is...

He has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is...

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

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...

Unless the reformer can invent something which substitutes attractive virtues for attractive vices, he will...

Unless the reformer can invent something which substitutes attractive virtues for attractive vices, he will...

The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men...

The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men...

Ages when custom is unsettled are necessarily ages of prophecy. The moralist cannot teach what...

Ages when custom is unsettled are necessarily ages of prophecy. The moralist cannot teach what...

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 opposition is indispensable. A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, always learns...

The opposition is indispensable. A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, always learns...

People that are orthodox when they are young are in danger of being middle-aged all...

People that are orthodox when they are young are in danger of being middle-aged all...

There is nothing so bad but it can masquerade as moral

There is nothing so bad but it can masquerade as moral

Brains, you know, are suspect in the Republican Party.

Brains, you know, are suspect in the Republican Party.

It is perfectly true that that government is best which governs least. It is equally...

It is perfectly true that that government is best which governs least. It is equally...

The tendency of the casual mind is to pick out or stumble upon a sample...

The tendency of the casual mind is to pick out or stumble upon a sample...

Success makes men rigid and they tend to exalt stability over all the other virtues;...

Success makes men rigid and they tend to exalt stability over all the other virtues;...

I would have carved on the portals of the National Press Club, Put not your...

I would have carved on the portals of the National Press Club, Put not your...

There is no such thing as absolute value in this world. You can only estimate...

There is no such thing as absolute value in this world. You can only estimate...

I sometimes think that God, in creating man, somewhat overestimated his ability

I sometimes think that God, in creating man, somewhat overestimated his ability

Come mothers and fathers Throughout the land, And don't criticize What you can't understand

Come mothers and fathers Throughout the land, And don't criticize What you can't understand