There is a spiritual hunger in the world today – and it cannot be satisfied by better cars on longer credit terms
—Adlai Stevenson
Journalists do not live by words alone, although sometimes they have to eat them.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Journalism
The first principle of a free society is an untrammeled flow of words in an open forum.
—Adlai Stevenson
Nothing so dates a man as to decry the younger generation.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Generations
We have confused the free with the free and easy.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Freedom
What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility… a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Patriotism
For my part I believe in the forgiveness of sin and the redemption of ignorance.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Attitude, Forgiveness, Ignorance
When you leave here, don’t forget why you came.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Graduation
Power corrupts, but lack of power corrupts absolutely.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Power
The idea that you can merchandise candidates for high office like breakfast cereal—that you can gather votes like box tops—is, I think, the ultimate indignity to the democratic process.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Elections, Voting
I would rather be guilty of talking over a person’s head than behind his back.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Speakers, Speaking
We talk a great deal about patriotism. What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility which will enable America to remain master of her power
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Patriotism
Our strength lies, not alone in our proving grounds and our stockpiles, but in our ideals, our goals, and their universal appeal to all men who are struggling to breathe free.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Goals
Peace is the one condition of survival in this nuclear age.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Peace
Flattery is all right if you don’t inhale.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Flattery
Communism is the corruption of a dream of justice.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Communism, Socialism
Accuracy is to a newspaper what virtue is to a lady, but a newspaper can always print a retraction.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Facts
Nature is indifferent to the survival of the human species, including Americans.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Survival
The time to stop a revolution is at the beginning, not the end.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Revolution
It is an ancient political vehicle, held together by soft soap and hunger and with front-seat drivers and back-seat drivers contradicting each other in a bedlam of voices, shouting
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Politics
What a man knows at fifty that he did not know at twenty is for the most part incommunicable.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Age, Aging
We mean by “politics” the people’s business—the most important business there is.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Success, Politics, Being True to Yourself
The central question is whether the wonderfully diverse and gifted assemblage of human beings on this earth really knows how to run a civilization.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Civilization
Those who corrupt the public mind are just as evil as those who steal from the public purse.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Politicians, Politics
Laws are never as effective as habits.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Law, Habits, Habit
Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Golf
A wise man who stands firm is a statesman, a foolish man who stands firm is a catastrophe.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Control
You can tell the size of a man by the size of the thing that makes him mad.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Anger, Men
The sound of tireless voices is the price we pay for the right to hear the music of our own opinions.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Freedom
A hypocrite is the kind of politician who would cut down a redwood tree, then mount the stump and make a speech for conservation.
—Adlai Stevenson
Topics: Just for Fun
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Madeleine Albright Czech-born American Diplomat
- Henry Kissinger American Diplomat
- Carlos P. Romulo Filipino Diplomat
- Lyndon B. Johnson American Head of State
- Hubert Humphrey American Head of State
- R. James Woolsey, Jr. American Lawyer, Government Official
- John Foster Dulles American Politician
- Douglas MacArthur American Military Leader
- Pablo Neruda Chilean Poet
- Romain Gary French Diplomat
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