Peter Whitney Quotes

When great questions end, little parties begin.

We are fond of distinctions; we place ourselves in opposition, and quarrel under the denominations of faction and party, without any material subject of controversy.

If you're going to talk about politics, then there are going to be folks who are with you and folks that are against you.

Discussion in America means dissent.

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

Controversy is only dreaded by the advocates of error.

By definition, politics is, or ought to be, division.

On any big issue in government there are always going to be disagreements.

There is nothing I dread so much as a division of the Republic into two great political parties, each arranged under its leader and converting measures in opposition to each other.

Life itself is controversy.

We are fond of distinctions; we place ourselves in opposition, and quarrel under the denominations of faction and party, without any material subject of controversy.

But doing what I do, you will never get unanimity of people.

Of the various forms of government which have prevailed in the world, an hereditary monarchy seems to present the fairest scope for ridicule.

Well, I think any time you delve into this sort of religion, politics, as you well know, you're going to, you know, touch a few nerves. I wasn't - now - and this is the honest truth.

The problem we've got now in Washington is that the goals are completely the opposite from each other.

When two or more people agree on an issue, I form on the other side.

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

Politics is very interesting and always leads to conflict.

The press has a tendency to focus on what politicians disagree on.

Incivility is not the disease. It is the symptom. Partisanship is the disease…. When your highest duty is to your party, the public interest becomes subservient.

…I have spent many years of my life in opposition and I rather like the role.

There cannot be a greater Judgment befall a Country than such a dreadful Spirit of Division as rends a Government into two distinct People, and makes them greater Strangers and more adverse to one another, than if they were actually two different Nations.

The day-to-day making of policy is arguing all the time.

As the loyal opposition we can be loyal and still generate a lot of opposition.

Party divisions, whether on the whole operating for good or evil, are things inseparable from free government.