Behind every successful man is a proud wife and a surprised mother-in-law.
—Hubert Humphrey
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
Freedom is the most contagious virus known to man.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Freedom
It is not enough to merely defend democracy. To defend it may be to lose it; to extend it is to strengthen it. Democracy is not property; it is an idea.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Democracy
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
The difference between heresy and prophecy is often one of sequence. Heresy often turns out to have been prophecy—when properly aged.
—Hubert Humphrey
It was once said that the moral test of Government is how that Government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Government, Right, Ethics, Service
Unfortunately, our affluent society has also been an effluent society.
—Hubert Humphrey
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
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
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
American public opinion is like an ocean — it cannot be stirred by a teaspoon.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Opinion, Public opinion
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
Never answer a question from a farmer.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Politics, Politicians
There are incalculable resources in the human spirit, once it has been set free.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Humanity
Compassion is not weakness, and concern for the unfortunate is not socialism.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Compassion, Weakness
National isolation breeds national neurosis.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Solitude, Isolation
Each child is an adventure into a better life—an opportunity to change the old pattern and make it new.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Children
The President is the people’s lobbyist.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Presidency
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
The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Listening, Liberty
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: Gratitude, Attitude, Appreciation, Revolutions, Revolutionaries, Revolution, Doing Your Best, 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
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: Leaders, Leadership
Certainly one of the chief guarantees of freedom under any government, no matter how popular and respected, is the right of the citizens to keep and bear arms. This is not to say that firearms should not be carefully used and that definite safety rules of precaution should not be taught and enforced. But the right of the citizens to bear arms is just one guarantee against arbitrary government and one more safeguard against a tyranny which now appears remote in America, but which historically has proved to be always possible.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Government
I learned more about economics from one South Dakota dust storm than I did in all my years in college.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Experience, Economy, Economics
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
I think the worst thing this nation could do for humanity would be to leave any uncertainty as to our will, our purpose and our capacity to carry out our purpose.
—Hubert Humphrey
Topics: Uncertainty, Respect, Respectability
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
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
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Lyndon B. Johnson American Head of State
- 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 Politician
- Jimmy Carter American Head of State
- Dan Quayle American Head of State
- Adlai Stevenson American Diplomat
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