Pope John XXIII Quotes

Next to power without honor, the most dangerous thing in the world is power without humor.

I don't need to be a frontman all the time, and in fact, the older I get, the less of an urge it is inside me to play that role. I've still got it inside me, and I do occasionally allow it out.

I really have to keep an eye on myself, because sometimes I think I might say something important.

He spoke like a professor and forgot that he had since become Pope.

Few men in high places will admit a mistake.

The Pope! How many divisions does he have?

I never view myself as a leader.

I'm shocked at how much I can talk about myself.

I like hearing myself talk. It is one of my greatest pleasures. I often have long conversations all by myself. Sometimes I am so clever I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.

Sometimes I think I'm a really interesting guy.

The President hears a hundred voices telling him that he is the greatest man in the world. He must listen carefully indeed to hear the one voice that tells him his is not.

Cold sober, I find myself absolutely fascinating.

I used to think that the brain was the most wonderful organ in my body. Then I realized who was telling me this.

Leadership is not a popularity contest; it's about leaving your ego at the door. The name of the game is to lead without a title.

There are men so philosophical that they can see humor in their own toothaches. But there has never lived a man so philosophical that he could see the toothache in his own humor.

Somebody's boring me. I think it's me.

How can I govern others, who can't even govern myself?

And then when they picked me as premiere, I don't think I feel, you know, different. For me, the position mean responsibility, but that's all.

Power is dangerous unless you have humility.

I'm not quite sure when I began to be troubled by the creeping sense of my own ludicrousness, but it persisted - and eventually grew into a fascination. I started writing about it. Thus, in His characteristically mysterious way, the Lord made clear His plans for me.

I know that I'm deeply, spiritually, profoundly philosophical and I also know that I'm about the flakiest person you're gonna meet.

Perhaps I'm particularly serious, because I'm not unaware of the potential absurdity of what I'm doing.

I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it.

Nothing's funnier to me than laughing at myself.

There's nothing wrong with being shallow as long as you're insightful about it.