John Howard Quotes

When we have 'second thoughts' about something, our first thoughts don't seem like thoughts at all - just feelings.

We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.

I disagree with everything I used to say.

I also held that view for about 50 years, but lately I have been rethinking it and now believe I was wrong.

If anyone objects to any statement I make, I am quite prepared not only to retract it, but also to deny under oath that I ever made it.

Let nothing prevent you from changing your previous decision if after consideration you feel that the previous decision was incorrect.

Is it not in human nature sometimes, based on the facts that you now know, to reconsider?

People have a tendency to do that - to go the polar opposite of what they've done before if they've felt like they've done something wrong.

I think, hey, everybody has a right to change their mind.

I just wanted to stop and try to get some perspective. [ A Period of Transition] it was just a matter of wanting to review the whole thing...to try and get some relationship to what I was doing.

I think I remember from the offset I said, 'I've visited this territory. This isn't for me.' And then I read the script and I said, 'You know, this is completely something different. This is a whole new life.'

You know, I find it very strange when movies that I made that were just excoriated - I mean that I was just vilified for - are now looked at as classics.

No doubt one can, in light of further study and life experience, come to repudiate past convictions.

I've changed my mind about the interview. I shall never give interviews.

We would certainly encourage the Italian government to put forward an ambitious agenda of reform.

People talk about 'getting rid of the old image', and I guess there's some merit in that. But the truth is that people loved 'The Wonder Years' - I can't turn my back on it.

If there is time to reflect, slowing down is likely to be a good idea.

It's not easy to just say you don't want to do something any more.

Maybe some people have written us off, but I think the new music today has also invigorated us.

You can say the opposite of something you've said but you can't do the opposite of something you've done.

I don't believe you can find any evidence of the fact that I have changed government policy solely because of a contribution.

Whenever they tell you there's no change in policy, that's the surest sign that something's up.

Those who never retract their opinions, love themselves more than they love truth.

Experience shows a particular candidate's election platform has on several occasions changed most radically after he has become President.

A few years ago nationalization was the solution to most of our problems. Now, and keep this to yourself, it is an utter flop.