John G. Diefenbaker Quotes

It was surprising to me to hear a member question whether another member of the House was an adult. We're all adults in the House of Commons, and I think it diminishes us all to suggest otherwise.

I think the state opening of Parliament is an incredibly important occasion, and broadly speaking, the way in which it's done is an invaluable tradition.

Authority may be as much injured by words as by actions.

Upstart greatness is everywhere less respected than ancient greatness.

That's the President of the United States you're talking about, pinhead.

If you have fear, you are bound by tradition, you follow some leader or guru. When you are bound by tradition, when you are afraid of your husband or your wife, you lose your dignity as an individual human being.

We have never said that we want to challenge the institution of Parliament.

Objectification, whatever its form, is not something anyone should have to 'just deal with.'

I wanted to be respected by filmmakers, and why should they respect me if they saw that my superiors did not treat me with respect.

The higher our position the more modestly we should behave.

A King (as such) is not a great man. He has great power, but it is not his own.

People should make distinctions between the office of the presidency and the person who occupies it. You can respect the office even as you lose respect for the individual.

The mansion should not be graced by its master, the master should grace the mansion.

You would make a great teacher. (Grace) Commander to teacher. Why not call me Cato the Elder, and really insult me while you’re at it? (Julian)

I transmit but do not create. I place my trust in the teachings of antiquity.

Great men may jest with saints; 'tis wit in them; But, in the less foul profanation.

Performance leads to recognition. Recognition brings respect. Respect enhances power. Humility and grace in one's moments of power enhances dignity of an organisation.

I think it's Greek Orthodox - who totally believes in the pope, not anything about attacking the United States, which needs to be because we're not recognizing the dignity of all people.

We have a huge institution that celebrates the undistinguished, an institution which is nearly as old as the Papists. It's been going on for millennia. What else is a monarchy but a series of ridiculously exalted figures who are not necessarily distinguished at all? In fact, they have a rather philistine tradition. So perhaps we are more vulnerable to it than other countries.

This is my father. Try what you can with him! He won't listen to me, because he remembers what a fool I was when I was a baby.

In the world there are four greats, and the king is one of them.

Gravitas is the soup bone in the stew of television news.

Everything can be borne except contempt.

Paul commands: 'Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the Traditions which you have been taught, whether by word or by our letter.' From this it is clear that they did not hand down everything by letter, but there is much also that was not written. Like that which was written, the unwritten too is worthy of belief. So let us regard the Tradition of the Church also as worthy of belief. Is it a Tradition? Seek no further.

One must observe the proper rites.