Hubert H. Humphrey Quotes

Leadership in today's world requires far more than a large stock of gunboats and a hard fist at the conference table.

The pursuit of peace resembles the building of a great cathedral. It is the work of a generation. In concept it requires a mater-architect; in execution, the labors of many.

Propaganda, to be effective, must be believed. To be believed, it must be credible. To be credible, it must be true.

Freedom is the most contagious virus known to man.

There is in every American, I think, something of the old Daniel Boone - who, when he could see the smoke from another chimney, felt himself too crowded and moved further out into the wilderness.

It is not enough to merely defend democracy. To defend it may be to lose it; to extend it is to strengthen it. Democracy is not property; it is an idea.

What you do, what each of us does, has an effect on the country, the state, the nation, and the world.

We can not expect to breed respect for law and order among people who do not share the fruits of our freedom.

For the first time in the history of mankind, one generation literally has the power to destroy the past, the present and the future, the power to bring time to an end.

There can be no compromise on the right of personal security; there can be no compromise on securing of human rights.

There are not enough jails, not enough police, not enough courts to enforce a law not supported by the people.

I have seen in the Halls of Congress more idealism, more humanness, more compassion, more profiles of courage than in any other institution that I have ever known.

None of us would trade freedom of expression for the narrowness of the public censor. America is a free market for people who have something to say, and need not fear to say it.

American public opinion is like an ocean, it cannot be stirred by a teaspoon.

You can't hoot with the owls and then soar with the eagles

We need an America with the wisdom of experience. But we must not let America grow old in spirit.

Though everyone has an equal right to speak, not all have earned an equal right to be taken seriously.

There are incalculable resources in the human spirit, once it has been set free.

The President has only 190 million bosses. The Vice President has 190 million and one.

It is always a risk to speak to the press: they are likely to report what you say.

Asia is rich in people, rich in culture and rich in resources. It is also rich in trouble.

To be realistic today is to be visionary. To be realistic is to be starry-eyed.

Profit and morality are a hard combination to beat.

In this time of national crises...per haps we would do well to spend a few minutes in considering projects which grace and embellish the earth, instead of shaking it.

The leadership for civil rights has to take place in the White House or it is going to take place in the streets.

We live by hope. We do not ever get all we want when we want it. But we have to believe that someday, somehow, some way, it will be better and that we can make it so.

We will have to decide today whether we will design the future or resign ourselves to it.

In life it isn't what you've lost, it's what you've got left that counts

What do we want for people? Human dignity, personal expression and fulfillment, justice, freedom.

Hubert Humphrey with kids"Be clear where America stands. Human brotherhood and equal opportunity for every man, woman, and child, we are committed to it, in America and around the world."

Our greatest songs are still unsung.

It is better to gain a foot than to stand still, even when you seek to gain a mile.

This is the first generation in all of recorded history that can do something about the scourge of poverty. We have the means to do it. We can banish hunger from the face of the earth.

Here we are the way politics ought to be in America; the politics of happiness, the politics of purpose and the politics of joy.

In the minds and hearts of the American people, there is a great hunger for peace based on a universal recognition of the values of freedom and human dignity.

I do not feel that we should allow a shortage of funds to prevent cities from financing needed projects.

I've never thought my speeches were too long; I've rather enjoyed them.

I am absolutely disgusted that anyone would put thousands of America's boys at risk just to win a Political Campaign.

Until racial justice and freedom is a reality in this land, our union will remain profoundly imperfect.

The road to freedom, here and everywhere, begins in the classroom.

We will be remembered not for the power of our weapons but for the power of our compassion, our dedication to human welfare.

Johnson had a sense of humor, and he could kid with me, ” he would say. “Johnson didn’t enjoy talking with most liberals. He didn’t think they had a sense of humor.

The greatest gift of life is friendship and I have received it.

The test we must set for ourselves is not to march alone but to march in such a way that others will wish to join us.

The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.

Oh my friend it's not what they take away from you that counts-it's what you do with what you have left.

Just be what you are and speak from your guts and heart-it's all a man has.

The good old days were never that good believe me. The good new days are today and better days are coming tomorrow. Our greatest songs are still unsung.

I learnt more about politics during one South Dakota dust storm than in seven years at the university.