John Burns Quotes

In this work I have received the opposition of a number of men who only advocate the unobtainable because the immediately possible is beyond their moral courage, administrative ability, and their political prescience.

The Gentlemen of England serve under the greatest cad in Europe.

For the moment and for some time great events have been denied me, forward action not come my way.

I believe, however, that impending events will call us and we must respond but where, with whom, and how?

I want the municipality to be a helping hand to the man with a desire of sympathy, to help the fallen when it is not in their power to help themselves.

I am not ashamed to say that I am the son of a washerwoman.

You come before me this morning with clean hands and clean collars. I want you to have clean tongues, clean manners, clean morals and clean characters.

I don't want boys to use their pencils for improper writing.

Books are a real solace, friendships are good but action is better than all.

The men who made the war were profuse in their praises of the man who kicked the P.M. out of his office and now degrades by his disloyal, dishonest and lying presence the greatest office in the State.

My duty is clear and at all costs will be done.

I am depressed rather at the wave of brutality sweeping over the country.

I recognise that Socialism has ended its purely theoretical course, and that the hour to construct has come.

I must firmly adhere to the views I have held and practice, that Socialism to succeed must be practical, tolerant, cohesive and consciously compromising with Progressive forces running, if not so far, in parallel lines towards its own goal.

The Thames is liquid history.