Irving Kristol Quotes

I strongly discourage any intellectuals, regardless of race, from speaking on matters for which they have limited or no expertise.

I won't write about a subject unless I've mastered it.

Tony Harrison is not on my level.

I'm a director! I don't work with no amateurs!

Philistine - a word which I understand properly to denote indifference to the higher intellectual interests. The word may also be defined, however, as the name applied by prigs to the rest of their species.

I tell public audiences, don't go to a podiatrist for brain surgery; don't go to an astronomer for planetary science.

People can tell if you don't know what you're talking about.

Power is competence.

I'm an educated individual.

The Internet is filled with so-called experts who couldn't lace up a pair of boots.

You can't say Charles doesn't know what he's talking about.

You have to be able to deep dive and know your stuff, otherwise you'll get called out on it.

What is competent? Who is it that can adjudicate what is competent or not competent? If the guys that are running the most important banks in our country aren't competent enough, well then, who is competent enough?

What I really love about philosophers and psychologists is that they sound smart.

If you're going to make comments on economy, study economy. If you're gonna make comments on world history, make sure you learn world history. If you're gonna save lives and be a doctor, you need to study medicine. Then, you will be able to make comments on economy, on medicine, and on world history.

You always want to know you have somebody at the helm who knows what they're doing.

I'm not some schmuck they just hired and threw down in the Performance Center and gave him an entrance or anything that like. I've been around enough and have enough experience; I know what I'm doing pretty much.

I'm nerdy in certain areas.

We live in what may be the most anti-intellectual period in the history of Western civilization.

We deeply want to be led by people who know what they're doing and who don't have to think about it too much.

You better educate yourself. You don't stand in the front of the line unless you're up there because you know everything that's involved.

Authority does not equal competency.

Philosophy must indeed recognize the possibility that the people rise to it, but must not lower itself to the people.

You have but to hold forth in cap and gown, and any gibberish becomes learning, all nonsense passes for sense.

Management of outcomes may not be any more than a skill. It does not require knowledge.