Henry L. Stimson Quotes

The trust that goes with public service is a heavy burden on those who would lead us.

There are a lot of ways to serve and only one is being president.

Public service is a noble career. You can’t do it unless you get out there and run…. You can make a difference if you are elected.

Public business … must always be done by somebody…. If wise men decline it, others will not; if honest men refuse it, others will not.

Public officers are the trustees of the people.

If you accept the privilege of public service, you had better understand the responsibilities of public service.

Some men are born for the public. Nature by fitting them for the service on a broad scale, has stamped them with the evidence of her destination and their duty.

When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property.

You must come forth to any Publick Service, whereof you may be capable, when you are called unto it.

I have an obligation to the people of Illinois, to the Senate and to myself to leave the Senate while I am still eager to serve, not after I tire of serving.

To what higher station, to what greater glory can any mortal aspire, than to be, during the whole course of his life, the support of good, the control of bad government, and the guardian of public liberty?

Honestly, I'm interested in politics; I'm interested in giving back in some form, performing some sort of civic duty. But I'm not exploring a run for governor or senator or anything along those lines. I'm focused on running Disney.

I really see the vocation of politics like I see every vocation - whether it's being a reporter or serving in public life or being a plumber - as an extension of ministry.

Public life is regarded as the crown of a career, and to young men it is the worthiest ambition. Politics is still the greatest and the most honorable adventure.

What is my calling? What am I supposed to do? I think running for office, public office, can be a divine calling. I mean, I've wrestled with that very question myself.

I am confident that I can serve my country without being involved as the president of the country now.

If I want to continue to build the kind of effort we have with Do Something, being in a public office would help. I wouldn't rule it out, but it's not something I feel determined to do.

I don't want to run for governor, but I don't think anyone should put public service out of the question because that's not what a good citizen does.

It’s hard to have a better job than the government, where you really do have an opportunity to have a broad reaching impact. Very few private sector jobs are going to offer you that.

Every citizen owes to the country a vigilant watch and close scrutiny of its public servants and a fair and reasonable estimate of their fidelity and usefulness.

If they think its such a sacrifice to go into public service, then they should stay the heck out.

Those who do not serve the public interest should not hold a public license.

Those who by God are helmsmen are ordained to serve the common weal.

Pubic business must be done. It will be done one way or another. If wise men refuse it, others will not. If honest men refuse it, others will not.

Politics is a profession; a serious, complicated and, in a true sense, a noble one.