Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Thomas Brackett Reed (American Politician)

Thomas Brackett Reed Jr. (1839–1902) was an American politician, lawyer, and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. A Republican leader, he served as Speaker 1889–91 and again 1895–99. He is best known for introducing the Reed Rules, which strengthened the majority party’s control over legislative proceedings and modernized the House’s procedures.

Born in Portland, Maine, Reed graduated from Bowdoin College in 1858 and studied law, establishing a successful practice. His political career began in the Maine State Legislature, and he later became a U.S. Representative from Maine. As Speaker, he earned the nickname “Czar Reed” for his assertive leadership, which restored order and discipline in the House. He effectively managed party factions and controlled the legislative agenda.

Reed played a key role in passing significant economic legislation, including the Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act (1894) and the Dingley Tariff Act (1897,) both aimed at protecting American industry. He also reformed House procedures to increase efficiency by requiring a simple majority for quorum calls, curbing filibusters, and streamlining legislative business.

Notable works include Reed’s Rules: A Manual of General Parliamentary Law (1894,) which provided guidance on legislative procedures, and The Tariff Question (1890,) which explored economic policy. His life and political influence are examined in biographies such as Samuel W. McCall’s The Life of Thomas Brackett Reed (1914) and William A. Robinson’s Thomas B. Reed, Parliamentarian (1930.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Thomas Brackett Reed

If human progress had been merely a matter of leadership we should be in Utopia today.
—Thomas Brackett Reed
Topics: Progress

We ought to use the best means we can to be well informed of our duty.
—Thomas Brackett Reed
Topics: Duty

To say that a thing has never yet been done among men is to erect a barrier stronger than reason, stronger than discussion.
—Thomas Brackett Reed
Topics: Justice

Let a man proclaim a new principle. Public sentiment will surely be on the other side.
—Thomas Brackett Reed
Topics: Public

Representative William McK. Springer, remarks in the House, quoting Henry Clay: As for me, I would rather be right than be President. Reed: Well, the gentleman will never be either.
—Thomas Brackett Reed

Most new things are not good, and die an early death; but those which push themselves forward and by slow degrees force themselves on the attention of mankind are the unconscious productions of human wisdom, and must have honest consideration, and must not be made the subject of unreasoning prejudice.
—Thomas Brackett Reed
Topics: Innovation

They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge.
—Thomas Brackett Reed
Topics: Fools, Foolishness

Copernicus … did not publish his book [on the nature of the solar system] until he was on his deathbed. He knew how dangerous it is to be right when the rest of the world is wrong.
—Thomas Brackett Reed
Topics: Right

The reason why the race of man moves slowly is because it must move all together.
—Thomas Brackett Reed
Topics: Progress

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