William F. Buckley, Jr. Quotes

• Decent people should ignore politics, if only they could be confident that politics would ignore them.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Politics

• It seems to me that the idea traditionally defended of endeavoring to maintain existing ethnic balances simply doesn’t work any more.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Work

  Tags in Endeavoring, Idea, Balance

• The majority of the senior class of Vassar does not desire my company and I must confess, having read specimens of their thought and sentiments, that I do not desire the company of the majority of the senior class of Vassar.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Specimens, Senior, Desire

• I would like to electrocute everyone who uses the word “fair” in connection with income tax policies.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Income, Connection

• We love your adherence to democratic principles.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Love

  Tags in Democratic, Adherence, Principles

• It had all the earmarks of a CIA operation; the bomb killed everybody in the room except the intended target!

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Earmarks, Operation, Cia, Killing

• Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Idealism, Reality

• Even if one takes every reefer madness allegation of the prohibitionists at face value, marijuana prohibition has done far more harm to far more people than marijuana ever could.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Prohibition, Value, Madness

• Scientists are people who build the Brooklyn Bridge and then buy it.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Scientists, People, Bridge

• Liberals, it has been said, are generous with other peoples’ money, except when it comes to questions of national survival when they prefer to be generous with other people’s freedom and security.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Money

  Tags in Liberals, Survival, Freedom

• There is an inverse relationship between reliance on the state and self-reliance.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Self-Reliance, Inverse, Between, Relationship

• I profoundly believe it takes a lot of practice to become a moral slob.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Practice, Become

• It is not a sign of arrogance for the king to rule. That is what he is there for.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in King, Arrogance

• Back in the thirties we were told we must collectivize the nation because the people were so poor. Now we are told we must collectivize the nation because the people are so rich.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in People, Poor

• One can’t doubt that the American objective in Iraq has failed – different plans have to be made. And the kernel here is the acknowledgement of defeat.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Iraq, Objective, Doubt

• I’d rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Government, University, Boston, People

• I get satisfaction of three kinds. One is creating something, one is being paid for it and one is the feeling that I haven’t just been sitting on my ass all afternoon.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Work

  Tags in Haven, Satisfaction

• To buy very good wine nowadays requires only money. To serve it to your guests is a sign of fatigue.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Money

  Tags in Wine, Fatigue, Guests

• All adventure is now reactionary.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Reactionary, Adventure

• The more complicated and powerful the job, the more rudimentary the preparation for it.

  William F. Buckley, Jr.

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Preparation, Rudimentary, Powerful

William F. Buckley, Jr. (29)

Birth:	24th November, 1925
Death:	27th February, 2008
Nationality:	American
Profession:	Author, Commentator, Editor, Television Presenter

Related Authors

• Julie Kagawa
• Saji Ijiyemi
• Lawrence Clark Powell
• Witi Ihimaera
• Hugh Lofting
• Janette Oke
• Patti Roberts
• Theo van Gogh
• Andrew Lo
• Coretta Scott King

Advertisement

Today's Anniversary - 29th March

Births

• 1918 - Sam Walton
• 1946 - Dennis Wolfberg
• 1986 - Lavrenti Lopes
• 1831 - Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr
• 1927 - Martin Fleischmann

Deaths

• 1878 - Mark Hopkins Jr.
• 1991 - Lee Atwater
• 1934 - Otto Hermann Kahn
• 1982 - Nathan F Twining
• 1912 - Robert Falcon Scott