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.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.

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

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

Back in the thirties we were told we must collectivize the nation because the people were so poor. Now we are told we must collectivize the nation because the people are so rich.

You cultivate the essential virtues: high purpose, intelligence, decency, humility, fear of the Lord, and the passion for freedom.

There is an inverse relationship between reliance on the state and self-reliance.

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

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

The academic community has in it the biggest concentration of alarmists, cranks and extremists this side of the giggle house.

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.

Truth is a demure lady, much too ladylike to knock you on your head and drag you to her cave. She is there, but people must want her, and seek her out.

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

One must bear in mind that the expansion of federal activity is a form of eating for politicians.

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

——–   William F. Buckly Jr.