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

The time has come to stop beating our heads against stone walls under the illusion...

The time has come to stop beating our heads against stone walls under the illusion...

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

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

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...

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.

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...

The simple opposition between the people and big business has disappeared because the people themselves...

The simple opposition between the people and big business has disappeared because the people themselves...

Many a time I have wanted to stop talking and find out what I really...

Many a time I have wanted to stop talking and find out what I really...

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...

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...

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...

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.

Certainly he is not of the generation that regards honesty as the best policy. However,...

Certainly he is not of the generation that regards honesty as the best policy. However,...

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

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

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.

There can be no higher law in journalism than to tell the truth and to...

There can be no higher law in journalism than to tell the truth and to...

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...

The writers who have nothing to say, are the ones you can buy, the others...

The writers who have nothing to say, are the ones you can buy, the others...

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...

I had been involved in U.S. intelligence in Berlin, Germany, while in the military and...

I had been involved in U.S. intelligence in Berlin, Germany, while in the military and...

Intelligence is the ability to avoid doing work, yet getting the work done

Intelligence is the ability to avoid doing work, yet getting the work done