Isaac Watts Quotes

When we speak freely, let us speak plainly, for plain speech is wholesome; especially, plain speech about public affairs and public men.

I do not consider that letters written to public men on matters affecting the public interest and threatening the public welfare are private letters.

Those who dare to speak out about major public events may not receive tangible benefits, but they receive the very considerable reward of high moral reputation among fellow Chinese as well as in the international community.

I'm not a politician. I'm not running for office. I can say what I think.

I do not believe that artists or actors and people should be out there like voicing their full-blown opinions on politics because, let's face it, at the end of the day, I'm not that smart of a guy.

Avoid any specific discussion of public policy at public meetings.

To the American people I say, awaken to what is happening. It is the duty of each citizen to be vigilant, to protect liberty, to speak out, left and right and disagree lest be trampled underfoot by misguided zealotry and extreme partisanship.

The public interest is not defined as what is interesting to the public.

All people have the duty and the right to participate in public debate.

What is the soul, the informing spirit of our institutions, of our entire system of government but public opinion. Let us direct the force, the vast moral force of this engine, to the aid of others.

In our age there is no such thing as 'keeping out of politics.' All issues are political issues ….

Part of what's great about America, and Canada as well, is that we can talk about our political leaders in public.

The job of a citizen is to keep his mouth open.

The public character of every public servant is legitimate subject of discussion, and his fitness or unfitness for office may be fairly canvassed by any person.

Politicians are there to try to deal with stuff, but sometimes it's both fortunate and unfortunate that people like us have more... not involvement, but more power in the stuff that we say.

I think it's appropriate in America for anyone to speak out and say what their reaction is to the president's State of the Union speech.

I was raised to speak out about politics and the world around me. I would do it whether I was in the public or not. It is the way I was taught. The American way.

In many ways, I think that, while we've been remarkably violent in our media, there's been a real schizophrenia. In private, on the Internet, and on public-affairs shows or talk radio, we're way more explicit than we've ever been.

I certainly think it's very important that writers as citizens - not necessarily as writers, but just as ordinary citizens - should talk about things that matter to them.

Talk radio is an asset to our nation because it encourages strong and healthy debate about public policy, and there is no reason to affect that debate with government legislation.

No citizen is apolitical; as a citizen, by definition, has to take interest in public affairs.

Thus the public use of reason and freedom is nothing but a dessert, a sumptuous dessert.

Maybe politically it wasn't wise but when people have different view points I think the public has a right to hear it and the public has a right to make decisions based on those view points.

Law is nothing unless close behind it stands a warm, living public opinion.

Read the editorial page of your local paper. It introduces you to opinion and can be terrifically provocative and perhaps a great motivating force for you to get involved in your community, regardless of your political ideology.