QUOTES
Public
service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete
dedication to the people and to the nation.
The
right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is
unpopular is a true test of moral character.
I
always try to think before I talk.
Every
human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration. Constructive criticism
is not only to be expected but sought.
"My
creed is that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly.
It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation with full recognition
that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration, that constructive
criticism is not only to be expected but sought, that smears are not only to be
expected but fought, that honor is to be earned but not bought."
The
United States Senate has long enjoyed worldwide respect as the greatest deliberative
body in the world. But recently that deliberative character has too often been
debased to the level of a forum of hate and character assassination sheltered
by the shield of congressional immunity.
Those
of us who shout the loudest about Americanism in making character assassinations
are all too frequently those who, by our own words and acts, ignore some of the
basic principles of Americanism: The right to criticize; The right to hold unpopular
beliefs; The right to protest; The right of independent thought. The exercise
of these rights should not cost one single American citizen his reputation or
his right to a livelihood nor should he be in danger of losing his reputation
or livelihood merely because he happens to know someone who holds unpopular beliefs.
Who of us doesn't? Otherwise none of us could call our souls our own. Otherwise
thought control would have set in.
Moral
cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country
as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing
for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.
One
of the basic causes for all the trouble in the world today is that people talk
too much and think too little. They act impulsively without thinking. I always
try to think before I talk.
When
people keep telling you that you can't do a thing, you kind of like to try it.
Leadership
is not manifested by coercion, even against the resented. Greatness is not manifested
by unlimited pragmatism, which places such a high premium on the end justifying
any means and any measures.
