Matt Taibbi Quotes

An honest man in politics shines more there than he would elsewhere.

I suppose that an honest man shines more in politics than he does elsewhere.

In Minnesota, we hold our leaders to a higher standard. We demand that the men and women we send to Washington stand above reproach and steer clear of the web of corruption, kickbacks and special favors.

My creed is that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration, that constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought, that smears are not only to be expected but fought, that honor is to be earned but not bought.

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.

Some States just have a good political culture. It’s not all greed driven.

I'm willing to take a polygraph test to prove that I'm happy about Kahlon's return to politics. He's a good man, a man who cares. It's good to have people like that in politics, I have no problem with that.

Corruption is not the sole test of your worthiness to form the government.

I believe in professionalism, less in politicians.

Would that the simple maxim, that honesty is the best policy, might be laid to heart; that a sense of the true aim of life might elevate the tone of politics and trade till public and private honor become identical.

I could never be a career politician, because I believe in telling the truth.

I'm not a politician. I don't want to be a politician, because politicians do what is politically expedient. I want to do what's right.

A good politician is quite as unthinkable as an honest burglar.

People like to see honest persons. So I certainly will advise many young people who want to participate in politics, honesty is the best policy.

A life in politics is for people who know themselves and know where their own line is between loyalty and honesty.

I take policy seriously; I'm not just trying to be a political hack.

There are, believe it or not, good politicians.

I'm the only honest person in Washington.

The vast majority of politicians think they are functioning on high principle.

The duty of youth is to challenge corruption.

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

In politics there is no honor.

The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.

Certainly he [Richard M. Nixon] is not of the generation that regards honesty as the best policy.

If you do politics the right way, I believe, you can actually make people's lives better. And integrity is the minimum ante to get into the game.