John Ashbery Quotes

I am a liberal and always have been - just not the wild-eyed character the Republicans made me out to be.

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.

It is better to imitate ancient than modern work.

The principal of unity and indivisibility of the republic are the essential reference points.

I don't think we have the right haircut or tattoos for politics.

This liberal progressive agenda... is the antithesis of who we are as a constitutional republic.

Republican government loses half its value where the moral and social duties are ... negligently practiced.

The more simple, the more republican we are in our manners, the more rational dignity we shall acquire.

The great Napoleon who devised the Legion of Honor, knew human weakness and recognized the irrepressible inclination of the citizens of a republic to covet the titles and insignia their democracy teaches them to disdain.

In a republic, if laws are not always respectable, they are always respected.

Federalism, though it may be the most perfect [system] and the most capable of bringing happiness to human society, is nevertheless the most detrimental to the interests of our infant countries. Generally speaking our citizens are not yet able to exercise their rights fully and for themselves, because they lack the political virtues that charecterise true republics

When I was in politics, I always got accused of image-making and trying to make them something they weren't. Truth was - and nobody ever discovered it, although I was in that business for twenty years - what I was trying to do was to get them to be themselves.

I guess the Democrats have to pretend to be more pious than the Republicans because they are under suspicion of not being.

Any politician is always looking for a format where they can show who they really are, show their true selves.

I don't choose projects according to the idea of being a role model. To be considered as one is definitely an honor.

Yes, I see myself as a role model. And as a role model, I have to behave in a certain way.

I don't think I would be characterized as a Tea Party candidate; I would be characterized as the most effective candidate.

I adore the classical pieces of our culture. The Greek and Roman are still inside and everywhere; it's impossible to disconnect.

Integrity is a very important and an almost indispensable virtue that all leaders must possess. This is especially true in the Philippine context because we Filipinos really respond to leadership by example.

Whatever the reality is the perception is that Marco Rubio went to Washington and threw in with the, quote/unquote, "establishment". He cannot - he cannot recover from that. Has not been able to recover from that.

In politics, reality and appearance are of equal importance. You cannot attend to one and neglect the other. A man must determine both what he is, and what others believe him to be.

Even when we are deeply divided over important issues facing our country and the world, "In God We Trust" for the guidance and wisdom to do what's both right and necessary for our Republic.

You can't go out and adopt Democrat policies all the way or halfway to show that you're not what they think you are.

The less luxury there is in a republic, the more it is perfect.

Tis hard to find a whole age to imitate, or what century to propose for example.