William Allen White Quotes

Whenever a free man is in chains we are threatened also. Whoever is fighting for liberty is defending America.

I would rather have written Fables in Slang than be President.

You can have no wise laws nor free enforcement of wise laws unless there is free expression of the wisdom of the people
and, alas, their folly with it. But if there is freedom, folly will die of its own poison, and the wisdom will survive.

Reason has never failed men. Only force and repression have made the wrecks in the world.

There is no insanity so devastating in man's life as utter sanity.

Youth should be radical. Youth should demand change in the world. Youth should not accept the old order if the world is to move on. But the old orders should not be moved easily - certainly not at the mere whim or behest of youth. There must be clash and if youth hasn't enough force or fervor to produce the clash the world grows stale and stagnant and sour in decay.

As a matter of fact student riots of one sort or another, protests against the order that is, kicks against college and university management indicate a healthy growth and a normal functioning of the academic mind.

Advertising is the genie which is transforming America into a place of comfort, luxury and ease for millions.

In education, we are striving not to teach youth to make a living, but to make a life.

A little learning is not a dangerous thing to one who does not mistake it for a great deal.

The facts fairly and honestly presented; truth will take care of itself.

You say that freedom of utterance is not for time of stress, and I reply with the sad truth that only in time of stress is freedom of utterance in danger? Only when free utterance is suppressed is it needed, and when it is needed it is most vital to justice.

I have never been bored an hour in my life. I get up every morning wondering what new strange glamorous thing is going to happen and it happens at fairly regular intervals.

My advice to the women of America is to raise more hell and fewer dahlias.

Every great movement needs an agitator. Every leader of spiritual ideals need a John the Baptist.

Liberty is the only thing you can't have unless you give it to others.

Never use the word, 'very.' It is the weakest word in the English language; doesn't mean anything. If you feel the urge of 'very' coming on, just write the word, 'damn,' in the place of 'very.' The editor will strike out the word, 'damn,' and you will have a good sentence.

The talent of a meat packer, the morals of a money changer, and the manners of an undertaker.

We all have weaknesses. But I have figured that others have put up with mine so tolerably that I would be much less than fair not to make a reasonable discount for theirs.

Democracy is an experiment, and the right of the majority to rule is no more inherent than the right of the minority to rule; and unless the majority represents sane, righteous, unselfish public sentiment, it has no inherent right.

I fear vastly more a futile, incompetent old age than I do any form of death.

Liberty is the only thing you cannot have unless you are willing to give it to others.

Any appeasement of tyranny is treason.