Inspirational Quotes by Hubert Humphrey (American Head of State)

The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Neighbors, Helping

Leadership in today’s world requires far more than a large stock of gunboats and a hard fist at the conference table.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Leadership, Leaders

Unfortunately, our affluent society has also been an effluent society.
—Hubert Humphrey

The heroes of the world community are not those who withdraw when difficulties ensue, not those who can envision neither the prospect of success nor the consequence of failure—but those who stand the heat of battle, the fight for world peace through the United Nations.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Nation, Nationality, Nationalism

For the first time in the history of mankind, one generation literally has the power to destroy the past, the present and the future, the power to bring time to an end.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: War

History teaches us that the great revolutions aren’t started by people who are utterly down and out, without hope and vision. They take place when people begin to live a little better—and when they see how much yet remains to be achieved.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Revolutionaries, Revolution, Revolutions

The great challenge which faces us is to assure that, in our society of big-ness, we do not strangle the voice of creativity, that the rules of the game do not come to overshadow its purpose, that the grand orchestration of society leaves ample room for the man who marches to the music of another drummer.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Individuality

There is in every American, I think, something of the old Daniel Boone—who, when he could see the smoke from another chimney, felt himself too crowded and moved further out into the wilderness.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Wilderness

People in places many of us never heard of, whose names we can’t pronounce or even spell, are speaking up for themselves. They speak in languages we once classified as “exotic” but whose mastery is now essential for our diplomats and businessmen. But what they say is very much the same the world over. They want a decent standard of living. They want human dignity and a voice in their own futures. They want their children to grow up strong and healthy and free.
—Hubert Humphrey

Never answer a question from a farmer.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Politicians, Politics

The pursuit of peace resembles the building of a great cathedral. It is the work of a generation. In concept it requires a master-architect; in execution, the labors of many.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Peace

There are those who say to you—we are rushing this issue of civil rights. I say we are 172 years late.
—Hubert Humphrey

The good old days were never that good, believe me. The good new days are today, and better days are coming tomorrow. Our greatest songs are still unsung.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Past, Reflection

Slumism is the pent-up anger of people living on the outside of affluence. Slumism is decay of structure and deterioration of the human spirit. Slumism is a virus which spreads through the body politic. As other isms, it breeds disorder and demagoguery and hate.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Poverty

Propaganda, to be effective, must be believed. To be believed, it must be credible. To be credible, it must be true.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Propaganda

The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Listening, Liberty

Compassion is not weakness, and concern for the unfortunate is not socialism.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Weakness, Compassion

We believe that to err is human. To blame it on someone else is politics.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Blame

A politician never forgets the precarious nature of elective life. We have never established a practice of tenure in public office.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Politicians, Politics

Just be what you are and speak from your guts and heart—it’s all a man has.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Instincts

The difference between heresy and prophecy is often one of sequence. Heresy often turns out to have been prophecy—when properly aged.
—Hubert Humphrey

Liberalism, above all, means emancipation – emancipation from one’s fears, his inadequacies, from prejudice, from discrimination, from poverty.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Liberalism

The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Romance, Health

If there is dissatisfaction with the status quo, good. If there is ferment, so much the better. If there is restlessness, I am pleased. Then let there be ideas, and hard thought, and hard work. If man feels small, let man make himself bigger.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Satisfaction

Freedom is the most contagious virus known to man.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Freedom

Profit and morality are a hard combination to beat.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Profit

Fortunately, the time has long passed when people liked to regard the United States as some kind of melting pot, taking men and women from every part of the world and converting them into standardized, homogenized Americans. We are, I think, much more mature and wise today. Just as we welcome a world of diversity, so we glory in an America of diversity—an America all the richer for the many different and distinctive strands of which it is woven.
—Hubert Humphrey

This, then, is the test we must set for ourselves; not to march alone but to march in such a way that others will wish to join us.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Example

The essence of statesmanship is not a rigid adherence to the past, but a prudent and probing concern for the future.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Politics

I learned more about economics from one South Dakota dust storm than I did in all my years in college.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Experience, Economics, Economy

National isolation breeds national neurosis.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Isolation, Solitude

Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate.
—Hubert Humphrey

There are not enough jails, not enough policemen, not enough law courts, to enforce a law not supported by the people.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Laws

Behind every successful man is a proud wife and a surprised mother-in-law.
—Hubert Humphrey

Each child is an adventure into a better life—an opportunity to change the old pattern and make it new.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Children

I have seen in the Halls of Congress more idealism, more humanness, more compassion, more profiles of courage than in any other institution that I have ever known.
—Hubert Humphrey

American public opinion is like an ocean — it cannot be stirred by a teaspoon.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Public opinion, Opinion

To be realistic today is to be visionary. To be realistic is to be starry-eyed.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Reality

Oh, my friend, it’s not what they take away from you that counts—it’s what you do with what you have left.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Revolutions, Revolutionaries, Revolution, Attitude, Gratitude, Doing Your Best, Appreciation, Blessings

When people generally are aware of a problem, it can be said to have entered the public consciousness. When people get on their hind legs and holler, the problem has not only entered the public consciousness—it has also become a part of the public conscience. At that point, things in our democracy begin to hum.
—Hubert Humphrey

Wondering Whom to Read Next?

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• Richard Nixon American Head of State
• Charles G. Dawes American Diplomat, Politician
• John F. Kennedy American Head of State
• Ronald Reagan American Head of State
• Calvin Coolidge American Head of State
• John C. Calhoun American Head of State
• Jimmy Carter American Head of State
• Dan Quayle American Head of State
• Adlai Stevenson American Diplomat