William Bennett Quotes

We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.

The opposition is indispensable. A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, always learns more from his opponents than from his fervent supporters.

To Confucius, harmony was consensus, not conformity. It required loyal opposition.

Patriotism without criticism has no head; criticism without patriotism has no heart..

The duty of an Opposition is to oppose.

I don't think politics has gotten too negative. I ... believe in going after the opposition on the issues.

You cannot have an opposition party unless it is opposed to the people in power.

My general approach to opposition is where the government is getting something right, we should say so. And where we disagree with them, we should say so, too.

I'm not scared of diversity. We have to have debates and win the argument, and if there are amendments that need to be brought up so we find out where the party is, so be it.

I am sure that the party system is right and necessary. There must be some scum.

I don't doubt the sincerity of my Democratic friends. And they should not doubt ours.

… new truths are often struck out by the collision of parties, in the eagerness of controversy, which otherwise would have lain hid, The divine disapprobation of a form of government by kings, I take to be one of this sort of truths.

The more you read and observe about this Politics thing, you got to admit that each party is worse than the other. The one that's out always looks the best.

Controversial disputes are a part of democratic culture.

I'm an Obama supporter, no question. But it doesn't mean there's nothing to learn from the other side.

I don't agree with Trump on everything.

Criticism and dissent are the indispensable antidote to major delusions.

A competition of the best ideas - that should be what Congress is about.

Political criticism is our enemies' best friend.

I don't agree with the Tories on most things.

I've decided to cut out the part of the speech where I say anything nice about Democrats.

I don't care a damn for your loyal service when you think I am right; when I really want it most is when you think I am wrong.

Politicians always criticize each other in different ways.

Bring it on. Dissent is central to any democracy.

If you want to give me a good faceful for one of my political positions, I can take it.