William F. Buckley, Jr. Quotes

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William F. Buckley, Jr.

Profession : Journalist

Birth : November 24, 1925

All adventure is now reactionary.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

Liberals, it has been said, are generous with other peoples' money, except when it comes to questions of national survival when they prefer to be generous with other people's freedom and security.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

A Conservative is a fellow who is standing athwart history yelling 'Stop!'

William F. Buckley, Jr.

I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

It is not a sign of arrogance for the king to rule. That is what he is there for.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

I won't insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

I get satisfaction of three kinds. One is creating something, one is being paid for it and one is the feeling that I haven't just been sitting on my ass all afternoon.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

It had all the earmarks of a CIA operation; the bomb killed everybody in the room except the intended target!

William F. Buckley, Jr.

I would like to electrocute everyone who uses the word 'fair' in connection with income tax policies.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

I profoundly believe it takes a lot of practice to become a moral slob.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

Life can't be all bad when for ten dollars you can buy all the Beethoven sonatas and listen to them for ten years.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

I would like to take you seriously, but to do so would affront your intelligence.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

The more complicated and powerful the job, the more rudimentary the preparation for it.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

Scientists are people who build the Brooklyn Bridge and then buy it.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

We love your adherence to democratic principles.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

Even if one takes every reefer madness allegation of the prohibitionists at face value, marijuana prohibition has done far more harm to far more people than marijuana ever could.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

Some of my instincts are reprehensible.

William F. Buckley, Jr.